
aass"El R"^ 

Book 'A 31^1 




NORTH DUTCH CHURCH. 



HISTOEICAL DISCOURSE 



Mtformcli Irot. pntcl) (Cljurcl) of ^Ibant), 



DELIVERED ON 



THANKSGIVING DAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1857,' 



THE NORTH DUTCH CHURCH, 



BY THE PASTOR, 

REV. E. P. ROGERS, D. D. 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST OF CONSISTORY. 




N E W YORK: 
BOARD OF PUBLICATION 

OF THE 

REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH. 
3 3 7 BROADWAY. 

1858. 



1 



r 



■■"/ 



IIUNSELL, PRINTER, ALBANY. 



V 



HISTORICAL DISCOURSE. 



Walk about Zion, and go round about her; tell the. towers 
thereof. Mark ye icell her bnlwarks, consider her palaces; that 
ye may tell it to the generation folloicing.- — Psalm xlviii: 12, 13. 

Thus does the pious psalmist exhort us to 
note with zealous care, the history and charac- 
ter of the Church of God. To trace out that 
history, to record her progress, to take note of 
God's dealings with her from time to time, and 
testify to her advancement and triumph, is a 
grateful task, and a solemn duty. Especially 
when that history runs over the track of centu- 
ries, should this duty be discharged. For as 
the river widens its channel, and bears richer 
freight on its bosom, as it flows farther and 
faster from its source, so as we follow the his- 
tory of the Church down the stream of time, 
we find it richer in interest, and more deeply 
laden with the treasures of the Divine presence 
and blessing. 



And what is true of the church at large, is 
no less true of individual churches and congre- 
gations. We regard it as the solemn duty of 
every church to keep a faithful record of its 
history, and to afford the opportunity to suc- 
ceeding generations to know something of its 
origin, its progress, its vicissitudes, its foes, 
its struggles and its triumphs. The ancient 
Jews were required " to instruct their children 
that they might convey throughout all genera- 
tions the history of those Divine interpositions 
and mercies with which they had been fa- 
vored." And the obligation is no less binding 
upon Christian churches, thus to keep in per- 
petual remembrance the dealings of God with 
them for the information and encouragement of 
succeeding generations. 

Impelled by such considerations, I have 
undertaken to prepare in a concise and sum- 
mary form, a sketch of the history of the Re- 
formed Protestant Dutch Church of Albany, 
being the Church with which we are happily 
connected in our several relations as pastor, 
officers, families and communicants. I have 
sought to make this brief, but comprehensive, 
including all the main facts in our history, so 
far as they could be gathered from accessible 



sources, but going slightly into details which 
would swell the sketch into dimensions utterly 
beyond the limits afforded by the present occa- 
sion. 

Before proceeding, however, to the history, 
let us notice for a moment the name and the 
origin of the Church to which we belong. Our 
name is " The Reformed Protestant Dutch 
Church of Albany." We are the Protestant 
Dutch Church, because we are descended from 
those in the sixteenth century, who boldly pro- 
tested against the authority of the pope, and the 
false and unscriptural tenets and practices of 
the Church of Rome. We are the Reformed Pro- 
testant Dutch Church because we are of those 
who differed from some of the early Protestants, 
and from Luther himself, on some points, par- 
ticularly in respect to the presence of the hu- 
manity of Christ in the Holy Supper. We are 
the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, be- 
cause we are descended from that branch of the 
Reformed Church which was organized in 
Holland. Our doctrinal standards and polity 
are derived primarily from the action of those 
who met at Antwerp in 1563, "and adopted a 
system of principles and rules which laid the 
foundation, and in a great measure formed the 



6 

full texture of church government and order 
adopted by subsequent synods." 

We bear a name, every word of which is 
connected with the grandest historical associa- 
tions and the noblest memories of the past. It 
associates us with some of the brightest names 
in the catalogue of God's illustrious servants. 
It dates back more than three hundred years, 
to the day when six princes of the German em- 
pire made tlieir manly protest against the 
decrees of the Diet of Spires, and associates us 
with that glorious era, when, at the command 
of God, light, the light of the Reformation, 
illumined the dark ages and brought freedom 
to imprisoned souls. It connects us with 
such illustrious names as Wessel Gansevoort 
and Rudolf Agricola;* as Luther, Calvin, Zuin- 
glius, Knox, Cranmer and others, who labored 
with zeal and devotion in the cause of God's 
truth in Germany, Switzerland, France, the 
Netherlands, Scotland and England. And it 
connects us with that land which was first re- 
deemed from the jaws of the sea by the energy 
and industry of its inhabitants, and afterwards 
became the centre of commerce, the mistress 
of the seas, and the arena for the noblest exhi- 

* See x\ppendix, Note A. 



bitions of pure patriotism, heroic courage, 
sublime fortitude and martyr devotion to the 
right which the world has ever witnessed. 
Our Mother Church was distinguished in that 
day for the profound learning of her theolo- 
gians, the devotion of her pastors, the purity of 
her creed, and the scriptural beauty of her forms 
of worship. She opened her arms freely to 
welcome the fugitive Huguenot, the outlawed 
Jew, and the exiled Puritan. She sheltered in 
her bosom the wanderer from the valleys of 
Piedmont, and the mountains of Scotland. She 
had drank of the bitter cup of persecution, and 
the sufferer for conscience sake, though a 
stranger to her land and her dialect, was ever 
hailed as a brother in their common Lord. It 
is needless to speak of the learning of her 
scholars, the genius of her artists, the prowess 
of her warriors. They have all hewed out for 
themselves enduring niches in the Temple of 
Fame. 

Such are the associations and the memories 
connected with our name and origin. And it 
is worthy of notice, that those noble men who 
landed on Plymouth Rock, and to whom this 
western world owes so much, came from their 
own land by way of the land of your fathers. 



8 

where for twelve years they found a safe retreat 
from persecution, and enjoyed the Christian 
hospitality of their Dutch brethren. That 
twelve years of sojourn in the Netherlands 
might have been no unimportant portion of the 
training of the Pilgrims, for the work which lay 
before them on the rocky shores of New Eng- 
land. 

In the autumn of 1609, Hendrik Hudson 
anchored his little vessel in the river which 
bears his name, opposite the bank on which now 
stands the city of Albany. In 1614, six years 
before the landing of the Mayflower at Ply- 
mouth, trading posts were established here and 
at New York, then Fort Orange and Manhattan. 
The first permanent agricultural colony was 
established in New Netherlands in 1623. In 
1630, a tract of land around Fort Orange was 
purchased by Kilian Van Rensselaer, and a 
colony was at once planted here of which he 
was the head, or patroon. Kilian Van Rensse- 
laer, was a merchant of Amsterdam, a dealer in 
pearls, and a director in the Dutch West India 
Company. The tract purchased by him of the 
Indians was twenty-four miles long and forty- 
eight broad ; containing over 700,000 acres 
of land, lying now in Albany, Rensselaer and 



9 

Columbia counties. This gentleman seems 
to have regarded the institutions of religion 
as a very essential element of prosperity for 
his colony, and his first efforts were directed 
towards their establishment and support. In 
the year 1642, he secured the services of 
the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, who was at 
that time the pastor of two congregations in 
Holland, and in good repute as a man of learn- 
ing and piety. The call which was sent to Do- 
mine Megapolensis, states that " By the state of 
navigation in the East and West Indies a door 
is opened through the special providence of 
God, also in New Netherlands for the preach- 
ing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for the salva- 
tion of men, as good fruits have been already 
witnessed there through God's mercy. ""^ It 
was signed by the president and scribe of the 
Classis of Amsterdam, in Classical Assembly 
at Amsterdam, March 22d, 1642. 

The salary which the domine was to receive 
for the six years of pastoral labor which was 
stipulated, was 1100 guilders ($440), 22^ bush- 
els of wheat, and 2 firkins of butter per an- 
num for the first three years, and if his labors 

* See Appendix, Note B. 
2 



10 

were satisfactory to the patroon, he was to re- 
ceive an additional amount of 200 guilders ($80), 
per annum for the succeeding three years. lit 
addition to this he was to receive $120, by Avay 
of outfit, and a free passage and board for him- 
self and family to his new field of labor. A 
house was also to be provided for him on his 
arrival at Rensselaerswyck. It was also stipu- 
lated that in case he was captured by the 
Dunkirkers on the passage, measures were to be 
taken immediately for his ransom, and a certain 
sum allowed monthly for his support. In case 
of his death before the expiration of the six 
years, provision was to be made for the support 
of his family till the end of that term. These 
provisions may be called just and liberal, and 
they show conclusively that the then head of 
the colony duly estimated the value of the in- 
stitutions of religion, and the services of a pious 
and learned ministry. 

Having accepted this call, Domine Megapo- 
lensis embarked for this country with his wife 
and four children, of whom the oldest was four- 
teen and the youngest eight years of age, and 
arrived on the 11th of August 1642. He was 
then in the thirty-ninth year of his age, and 
consequently was just in his prime. His cha- 



11 

racter while a minister in Holland was that of 
"agood, honest, and pure preacher." In the 
call from the Classis of Amsterdam he is styled 
" a faithful servant of the Gospel of the Lord." 
He must have been a man of zeal and devotion 
of more than ordinary character, to have been 
willing to leave a sphere of usefulness and 
honor in his native land, for the perils of the 
sea and the toils and privations incident to a 
new and savage country. No attractive pros- 
pect of ease or honor awaited him, on the 
banks of the far distant Hudson. A small 
colony in an unknown land, in the midst of 
savages, and subject to all the perils and dis- 
comforts of pioneer life, was to be his field of 
labor. Yet we find him ready at the call of 
his classis to break the ties which bound him 
to his native land ; to part from two churches 
with Avhom he was happily connected, and 
with a spirit worthy of a true Hollander, to 
come, the apostle of a pure Christianity, to 
these western shores. 

Domine Megapolensis remained during the 
six years of his agreement, faithfully discharg- 
ing the duties of his office. He not only labored 
among the colonists, but took a great inte- 
rest in preaching to the Indians. Numbers of 



12 

these resorted to Fort Orange for the purposes 
of trade, and the domine learned their lan- 
guage, and preached the Gospel to them, seve- 
ral years before the celebrated Eliot began his 
labors among the Indians in New England. 
He was the author of a treatise on the Mo- 
hawks, which was afterwards published in 
Holland. His efforts among them were crown- 
ed with much success. At a later date the 
names of many baptized Indians are found in 
the early records of the Church, the fruits of 
the labors begun by the worthy domine who 
was its first pastor, and the first missionary to 
the red men of the forest.* 

His term of service having expired, Dr. Mega- 
polensis left the colony to return to the father- 
land. On his arrival at New Amsterdam (now 
New York) he was prevailed on by Gov. Stuy- 
vesant to remain there in place of Domine 
Backerus, who had returned to Holland. The 
representations of the governor, of the spiritual 
destitution prevailing in New Amsterdam had 
such weight with the domine, that he con- 
sented to remain, and labored more than twenty 
years as senior pastor, being assisted from 1664 
to 1668 by his son Samuel, who was educated 

* See Appendix, Note C. 



13 

both in divinity and medicine, and who re- 
turned to Holland a short time before his 
father's death, which occnred in 1670, in the 
sixty-seventh year of his age. 

The first house of worship in Albany, was 
built on the arrival of Dr. Megapolensis. It 
stood near the fort, in what is now called 
Church street. It was a plain wooden building, 
thirty-four feet long by nineteen wide, furnished 
with a pulpit ornamented with a canopy, pews 
for the magistrates and church officers, and 
nine benches for the people. In this simple 
structure the congregation worshiped thirteen 
years. 

The second minister of the Church at Albany 
was the Rev. Gideon Schaats. He was born in 
1607, and was at first a schoolmaster in Hol- 
land. Having received ordination, he was sent 
to this country in 1652, in company with the 
Rev. Samuel Drisius, a man of great learning, 
who was able to preach in Dutch, English and 
French, and who became a colleague of Dr. 
Megapolensis at New Amsterdam. Dominie 
Schaats was forty-five years of age when he 
arrived in this country, and he labored here for 
more than thirty years. He died in a good old 
age leaving three children, the eldest of whom, 



14 

a son, was killed at the great massacre in 
Schenectady, Feb. 10, 1690. His remaining 
children, a son and married daughter, are sup- 
posed to have outlived their father many years. 
The house in which Domine Schaats resided, 
stood on the north-east corner of North Pearl 
and State streets. It is said to have been im- 
ported from Holland, bricks, wood-work, tiles, 
and ornamental irons with which it was pro- 
fusely adorned, expressly for his use, in the 
same vessel which brought over the pulpit and 
the bell, for the new Church. It stood from 
1657 to 1832, and was for some time the resi- 
dence of Balthazar Lydius, a grandson of 
Domine Lydius, who died in 1815, aged 78 
years. 

Four years after the settlement of Mr. Schaats 
the congregation erected their second house of 
worship. It was built at the intersection of 
what is now State street with Broadway. It 
is supposed by some that this building was of 
stone, but we find that in 1714 a petition was 
addressed to Governor Hunter, then governor 
in chief of the province of New York, which 
purports to be "The humble petition of Petrus 
Van Driesen, Minister of the Nether Dutch Ke- 
fornied Congregation of the city and county of 



15 

Albany, and the Elders and Deacons of the said 
Congregation," which states in substance that 
the Church which was built in 1656, "being 
built of timber and boards, is by time so much 
decayed that they find themselves under neces- 
sity of building a new one in its place," and 
concludes by praying his excellency " to ap- 
prove and encourage this pious work."* 

It would appear from this that the building 
was of wood. The corner stone was laid by 
Rutger Jacobsen, one of the magistrates of the 
city, and the ancestor of the venerable lady, 
now a member of this Church, who has become 
distinguished by her munificent patronage of 
astronomical science.f As this was an edifice 
intended to last for many years, the congrega- 
tion determined that the pulpit should come 
from the same noble land, from which its oc- 
cupants were imported. So they sent to Hol- 
land for an oaken pulpit and a bell, both of 
which in due season arrived, and were erected 
in their appropriate places. The old pulpit, 
after having been occupied for a period of one 
hundred and fifty years by a succession of able 
and faithful pastors, is still preserved in this 

* See Appendix, Note D. f Mrs. Blandina Dudley. 



16 

edifice, a fine specimen of architectural propor- 
tions and workmanship, and an interesting and 
valuable memorial of the past. 

In 1675 we find that the Eev. Mr. Niewen- 
huysen (or Niewenhuyt) was a colleague with 
Mr. Schaats, but I have not been able to learn 
any particulars of his history. During his 
ministry Rev. Nicholas Van Kenssalaer (or 
Ranslaer) arrived in Albany, and set up a claim 
to the pulpit, and also to the manor: neither 
of which claims were successful. He was not 
approved by the Classis of Amsterdam, and was 
moreover strongly suspected of being a papist 
in disguise. He however had the governor on 
his side. Sir Edmund Andross, to whom he had 
been recommended by the Duke of York, and 
who endeavored to obtain for him a living in 
the Church. Mr. Niewenhuysen stoutly resisted 
this attempt, and suffered much oppressive 
treatment in consequence, at the governor's 
hands. The people however sympathized with 
him and refused to acknowledge Mr. Van 
Renssalaer as a minister, or admit his claims 
to any consideration from his clerical cha- 
racter. 

In 16y3 the Rev. Godfreidus Dellius, was 




PULPIT OF THE OLD CHURCH, 

Built in Holland, 1656. 



J7 

sent out as assistant to Domine Schaats, who 
was now upwards of seventy-five years of age. 
There are no church records prior to this date 
extant in any connected form, but in this year 
the Register of Baptism begins, which has con- 
tinued to be kept with much accuracy down to 
the present day. Mr. Dellius found the Church 
large and flourishing. It contained among its 
catechumens and its communicants some of 
the Indians in the vicinity, and large additions 
were made during the sixteen years of his 
ministry. It is said that the baptisms during 
this period reached the astonishing number of 
eleven hundred. The list of members in 1683, 
in the hand writing of Mr. Dellius, amounts to 
between six and seven hundred. It is interest- 
ing in looking over this list to notice how 
many of the names still are found among the 
present members, having come down in un- 
broken succession from the godly men and 
women of two hundred years ago.* 

At a meeting of the magistrates of the town, 
holden August 13th, 1683, the following resolu- 
tions were adopted : 

" Resolved, That a letter be written to the 

Venerable, Pious, and very Learned the Minis- 

* See Appendix, Note E. 
3 



18 

ters and members of the very Rev. the Classis 
of Amsterdam, assembled at Amsterdam, sin- 
cerely thanking their Rev. for their Fatherly 
care, in sending over the Rev. Pious and 
Learned Dom. Goddefridus Dellius, with whom 
the congregation is highly pleased, 

" Resolved, Also to write to Sieur Richard Van 
Renssalaer and Sieur Abel D'WollfF to thank 
them heartily for the trouble they have taken, 
in finding out the Rev. Pious and Learned 
Dom. Goddefridus Dellius, who arrived here on 
the 2d inst. to the great joy of every one, and 
whose preaching was heard with the greatest 
satisfaction and contentment." 

Mr. Dellius remained with the Church for a 
period of sixteen years, and sailed for Holland 
in 1699. 

In 1699, Dominie Johannes Petrus TsHicella, 
began his labors, which continued only three 
or four years. The date of the first baptisms 
administered by him is Sept. 3d, 1699. During 
his ministry the rite of baptism was administer- 
ed as far down the river as Kinderhook, as the 
sacrament of the Lord's supper had been ad- 
ministered by his predecessor at Schenectady 
four times a year. Very little is known of the 



19 

peculiar character of Mr. Nucella, or of the 
results of his ministry in Albany. His connec- 
tion with the congregation seems to have termi- 
nated in 1702. 

The next minister was the Rev. Johannes 
Lydius, who commenced his labors in 1703. 
Like his predecessors, Domine Lydius seems 
to have interested himself much in the instruc- 
tion and conversion of the Indians. There is 
mention made of his having labored among the 
tribes of the Five Nations, and of his receiving 
from the governor and council pecuniary com- 
pensation for such labors. He died on the 1st 
day of March, 1710. In a letter written by the 
Rev. Thomas Barclay, an Episcopal minister 
at Albany in that year, to the secretary of " the 
Society for the propagation of the Gospel in 
foreign parts," he mentions Domine Lydius 
in terms of high commendation, speaking of 
him as an intimate friend, and fellow laborer, 
and mentioning that by his death the Dutch 
Church and about thirty Indian communicants 
have been left without a pastor. Domine 
Lydius left a son, John Henry Lydius, a promi- 
nent Indian trader in the colony of New York, 
who retired to England in 1776, and died at 



20 

Kensington near London in 1791, in the ninety- 
eighth year of his age.* 

After the death of Domine Lydius, the 
Church continued without a pastor for about 
two years. During this time, however, they 
were not entirely destitute of the preaching of 
the Avord, or the administration of the sacra- 
ments. The Rev. Gualterus Du Bois, who was 
a minister in the Church in New York for fifty- 
one years, and who is described as a man of 
high character, and greatly beloved by his peo- 
ple, visited Albany in 1710, and preached and 
administered the sacraments. Also the Rev. 
Petrus Vas, who died at Kingston, performed 
ministerial labors here in 173 1. The names of 
both these ministers are found on the Register 
of Baptisms of the above dates. 

In 1712 the Rev. Petrus Van Driessen was 
called to the pastoral charge of the congrega- 
tion. During his ministry a new edifice was 
built for the use of the Church, which is well 
remembered by some of the older members of 
this congregation. It was built of stone with 
a steep, pyramidal roof, and belfry surmounted 
with a weathercock, and was for its day quite 

* Doc. His. of New York, Vol. Ill, p. 893. 




OLD DUTCH OHUKCII ON STATE STREET. 



21 

an imposing edifice. It was built around the 
old Church, which was taken down and carried 
out piecemeal after the walls of the new build- 
ing were raised and covered. It is said that 
the services of public worship were interrupted 
only three sabbaths by reason of this removal. 
The new Church was of massive architecture, 
and solid workmanship. Each of its windows 
contained the coat of arms of some one of the 
families of the congregation, in stained glass. 
Several of these are still preserved, and one espe- 
cially may be seen in excellent preservation at 
the residence of Mrs. Dudley. The seats around 
the walls were occupied by the respectable old 
burghers, the heads of families, among whom 
were some whose names have been distinguish- 
ed in the history of the state. On the west 
side, were the seats occupied by the governor 
and the magistrates of the city. On the right 
and left of the pulpit, were the members of the 
consistory ; conspicuous among them was the 
voorlezer or clerk, a very important functionary, 
who opened the services of the sabbath by the 
reading of a few texts of Scripture, the ten 
commandments, another chapter of the Bible, 
and the singing of a Psalm, the number of 
which was displayed on a tablet hung at the 



22 

side of the pulpit, in sight of the congregation. 
Tlie seats in the body of the liouse were oc- 
cupied by the females, and the large galleries, 
which extended on three sides of the edifice, 
were appropriated to the younger male mem- 
bers of the congregation. It was the custom 
in those days for the minister to enter during 
the singing, and before ascending to the pulpit 
to stand a moment at the foot of the stairs in 
silent prayer, a custom which was certainly 
highly appropriate. In front of the desk of the 
pulpit was placed the hour glass, and our fathers 
would hardly have thought that the domine 
gave them good measure if he closed his dis- 
course till the last sands had fallen. It is not 
often in these days that our hearers complain 
of the brevity of our discourses. 

For ninety-one years the old stone Church 
stood as the centre of devotion, and place of 
worship for the Church of Christ in Albany. 
There your pious parents loved to go to worship 
God in simplicity and godly sincerity. There 
they listened with reverent attention to the 
preaching of the Word. There they sat down 
at the sacramental table, and commemorated 
the love of their blessed Saviour. There they 
carried their children to receive the rite of bap- 



23 

tism in the name of the adorable Trinity. 
From that temple they were called to the purer 
and nobler worship of heaven. Fifty-one years 
have rolled away since that old building was 
taken down. There are but few left who were 
familiar with the venerable and time honored 
structure. It is fast becoming only a thing of 
tradition. Very soon the last of the smiling 
babes, who received baptism at its font, will be 
borne a gray haired man, to the silent grave. But 
the results of what transpired within its walls 
for nearly a century, will last as long as the 
eternal throne of God endures. 

During the ministry of Mr. Van Driessen, a 
petition was presented to the Hon. Peter Schuy- 
ler, president, and the rest of his majesty's 
council of the province of New York, for an act 
of incorporation. The petition is dated 3d day 
of August, 1720, and is signed by Petrus Van 
Driessen, minister; Johannes Cuyler, Johannes 
Roseboom, Hendrik Van Rensselaer and Wil- 
liam Jacobse Van Deusen, elders ; and Rut- 
gert Bleecker, Volkert Van Veghten, Myndert 
Roseboom and Dirk Ten Broek, deacons of the 
Reformed Protestant Dutch Congregation in the 
city of Albany.* 

* See Appendix, Note F. 



24 

The petition was successful, and an act of 
incorporation was granted to the Churcli under 
the title of the " Minister, Elders and Deacons 
of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in 
the city of Albany," bearing date August ICth, 
1720. 

Mr. Van Driessen continued in the pastoral 
charge of the congregation till his death, which 
occurred about February 1st, 1738, having 
labored with zeal and fidelity for a period of 
twenty-six years. The Church at Kinderhook 
was organized by him in 1712, and the Church 
at Claverack in 1716. 

In 1733, five years prior to the death of Do- 
mine Van Driessen, the Rev. Cornelius Van 
Schie was settled as his colleague. Mr. Van 
Schie had previously labored in Poughkeepsie 
and Fishkill. He survived his colleague but 
six years, and died August 15th, 1744, aged 41 
years. His last sermon was from Rev. ii, 10: 
"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give 
thee a crown of life." 

The next pastor was the Rev. Theodorus 
Frelinghuysen. He entered upon his labors 
about 1745. He was the son of the Rev. Jaco- 
bus Theodorus Frelinghuysen, a native of West 
Friesland, who came to this country in 1720, 




(.'opififl from the Ori^ina/ tn possfSsti*n o/fZ/r lie-rn/r// ^itm/h\ 



25 

and settled in New Jersey about three miles 
west of New Brunswick. He was a man of 
sound evangelical views, and a bold and earnest 
preacher. He had five sons, all of whom be- 
came ministers ; and two daughters, both of 
whom became the wives of ministers. His 
second son, Johannes, succeeded his father at 
Raritan, in 1750, but died in 1754, in the 28th 
year of his age. He was the grandfather of 
the Hon. Theodore Frelinghuysen, president of 
Rutgers College. His oldest son, Theodorus, 
was the pastor of the Church at Albany. 
He is said to have been a man of more than 
ordinary excellence. His temper was ardent 
and his manners frank and popular. In the 
pulpit his preaching was earnest and eloquent, 
while his pure and spotless life, when out of it, 
illustrated and enforced his teachings. For fif- 
teen years he labored beloved and respected by 
all, and probably no pastor was ever more 
deeply seated in the confidence and affections 
of his flock. 

About this time, a regiment of royal troops 
was stationed in Albany, whose gay and youth- 
ful officers introduced quite a new order of 
things into the staid and quiet circles of the 

city. Parties, balls, and theatrical entertain- 
4 



26 

ments kept the families of the honest burghers 
in a continual state of flutter and excitement. 
The good domine in all sincerity, but perhaps 
in not the most judicious manner, took the field 
against these seductive innovations. He ad- 
monished, he preached, he prophesied, he even 
denounced, but with all his authority and elo- 
quence and goodness combined, he could not 
exorcise from the community the rampant 
spirit of gaiety and fashion. There is a tradi- 
tion that after having preached an unusually 
earnest sermon against the follies and fashions 
of the day, the good domine found at his door 
on the follow^ing Monday morning, a j^air of 
shoes, a staff, a silver dollar and a loaf of bread. 
He conceived that this was an intimation that 
he was desired to depart, and determined at 
once to leave. However this may be, it is 
quite probable, that supposing that his influence 
was decidedly weakened, and being a man of 
peculiar sensitiveness, he withdrew from his 
charge, and with a grieved and humbled spirit 
took passage for Holland, in 1760, to visit his 
native land, and return again to the scene of 
his labors. He however never returned, and is 
said to have been lost overboard on the passage. 
A mystery hangs over his real fate, but the 



27 

good people of Albany long mourned his de- 
parture and cherished his memory with the 
deepest affection. 

Domine Frelinghuysen was succeeded in 
the pastoral office by the Rev. Eilardus Wes- 
terlo, a name connected with many interesting 
and tender associations in the history of this 
Church. He was born in the city of Gro- 
ningen, in October, 1738. His father, Isaac 
Westerlo, Avas pastor of the Church at that 
place. He was named after his maternal 
grandfather, Eilardus Reiners, who was also a 
clergyman and pastor of the Church at Dalen, 
a village in the province of Drenthe. He was 
designed by his parents from his early youth for 
the ministry of the Gospel, and having spent six 
years in the Latin school at Oldenzaal, he was 
admitted in his 16th year to the University at 
Groningen, where he remained also six years, 
and prepared himself for examination and ad- 
mission to the holy office of the ministry. 

It was just at this time, when he was but 
twenty-two years of age, that a call from this 
Church was most unexpectedly placed in his 
hands. After due deliberation, and with the 
earnest advice of his instructors at the uni- 



28 

versify, he decided to accept it. He was ac- 
cordina^ly examined and approved, and in 
March, 1760, was installed in Holland as min- 
ister of this Church. He arrived here and 
entered upon his duties in the autumn of that 
year, and soon had reason to believe, that in 
removing to this city he had chosen the path of 
duty. 

Dr. Westerlo was a man of more than ordi- 
nary religious feeling. About eight years after 
the commencement of his labors, he fell into 
a state of great despondency and fear as to his 
personal hopes. After a time of severe self-ex- 
amination and earnest prayer, he obtained re- 
newed hope and peace. He always considered 
himself to have undergone a great change at 
this time, and frequently spoke of it as a most 
interesting and eventful period of his life. He 
was on very intimate and friendly terms with 
several distinguished ministers and private 
Christians, and derived much edification and 
enjoyment from correspondence and fellowship 
with them. Among these were the Rev. Drs. 
Livingston, Laidlie, Rodgers and Mason, of 
New York ; and Dr. Meyer, pastor of the 
Church at Esopus, and afterward of New Jer- 



29 

sey ; also Mrs. Livingston, mother of" the late 
Chancellor Livingston, and other pious indi- 
viduals in humbler life. 

In 1775 he was married to the widow of 
Stephen Van Rensselaer, then Patroon of the 
Manor of Renssalaerswyck. She had three 
sons, Stephen, whose memory is still precious 
in this Church and city ; Philip, who was for 
seventeen years mayor of Albany ; and Eliza- 
beth, who married for her first husband, John, 
a son of Gen. Philip Schuyler, and afterwards 
the late John Bleecker. From the time of his 
marriage till 1784, he resided at the Manor 
House. At that time he removed to the par- 
sonage which stood in Broadway, on the site 
now occupied by the building known as 
Bleecker Hall. 

Dr. Westerlo was decidedly in favor of dis- 
solving the ecclesiastical connection which at 
that time bound the Dutch Church in this 
country to the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical 
courts in Holland, and of an independent 
organization, by which the training, ordination 
and installation of ministers, and other church 
business could be transacted here, by our own 
ecclesiastical courts. In the discussion of this 
question, which agitated the whole Church 



30 

deeply, and which was debated with earnest- 
ness if not with acrimony for several years, he 
took a prominent part. The separation was 
finally made in 1772.^ 

Dr. AVesterlo Avas also a warm patriot. 
During the Revolution, he took strong ground 
on the side of independence, and at that cri- 
tical period just prior to the surrender of Bur- 
goyne, he held special religious services in the 
Church daily for a week, imploring the inter- 
position of God in behalf of our army, and ani- 
mating and encouraging the people by his 
prayers and exhortations. He was assisted in 
these services by his distinguished friend. Dr. 
John H. Livingston, who was also his brother- 
in-law,! and who spent much time in Albany 
and its vicinity during the progress of the war. 

Up to this time all the religious services in 
the Church were in the Dutch language. The 
importance of introducing the English, was 
however more and more felt, and in 1780, Dr. 
Livingston was called as colleague to preach in 
that language, but declined the invitation. In 
1782, Dr. Westerlo began to preach half the 
day in English. 

* See Appendix, Note F. 
f They married sisters. 



31 

In this year General Washington visited 
Albany and had a public reception. An address 
on that occasion was delivered by Dr. Westerlo 
as the minister of the Church, and president of 
the consistory. The last sermon which Dr. 
Westerlo preached was from the G5th Psalm, 
4th verse : "Blessed is the man, whom thou 
choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, 
that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be 
satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even 
of thy holy temple." 

He died on the 26th December, 1790, in the 
53d year of his age. The event was somewhat 
sudden, though his health for some time had 
not been good. It excited the deepest feeling 
throughout the congregation. A letter written 
by Dr. Livingston to Dr. Meyer soon after, says : 
" His disease at first affected his mind, and 
rendered him very melancholy, but it pleased 
the Lord to remove all his fears and distresses; 
his mind became serene, and he was cheerful, 
established, and rejoicing in Ihe Lord till his 
last moments. His house was filled with his 
people, who came from all parts of the city to 
see him, and he left them with his blessing in 
such a solemn manner, that it is thought he 
did as much good in his death as in his life. 



32 

Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord ! O 
that we may die the deatii of the righteous, 
and our last end be like his." 

Dr. Westerlo left two children, a son Rens- 
salaer, who was at one time a member of 
congress, and a daughter Catherine, who mar- 
ried the Hon. John Woodworth, who still 
survives her. 

He was a man of solid learning, especially 
in the classics, of imposing presence, and 
gentle and dignified manners. Few ministers 
have maintained a higher standing in the 
Church, or a deeper place in the affections of 
the people. The late Harmanus Bleecker, in a 
sketch for Rev. Dr. Sprague's work, which I 
have been kindly permitted to see, and from 
which much of the foregoing account of Dr. 
Westerlo has been derived, says in closing 
the sketch : " Indeed so omnipresent was his 
religion, so engrossing his piety, that his ha- 
bitual state of mind seemed to be one continued 
prayer, and his life an unbroken offering of 
praise." 

In 1787, the Rev. John Bassett was settled as 
colleague pastor with Dr. AVesterlo. He was 
born in Bushwick, L. I., October 1, 1764, and 
educated in Columbia College, N. Y. His 



33 

theological studies were pursued under Dr. 
Livingston, and he was ordained and installed 
here, November 25, 1787. In December, 1804, 
he retired from his pastoral charge to the Boght, 
and afterwards to his native place on Long 
Island, where he died, September 4, 1824, in 
the 60th year of his age. He left five children, 
four of whom still survive. Upon his retirement 
from this Church, the consistory voted to pay 
him an annuity of $562-50 for the term of his 
natural life. 

Mr. Bassett was a man of extraordinary eru- 
dition. He was an excellent Hebrew scholar, 
and excelled in classical learning. He always 
had several young men in his family, and under 
his instruction. He was a sound and edifying 
preacher, though not gifted with great vividness 
of imagination or eloquence. He had many 
warm friends in the congregation, who deeply 
regretted his departure. 

The congregation at this time, as might be 
supposed, liad grown to be very large and power- 
ful. The population of the city was about 5,000. 
The Church having been in existence for nearly 
150 years, the members of the congregation 
could not be accommodated in the old stone 

building, and it was decided to build a new 
5 



34 

one. The corner stone of this edifice was laid 
June 12, 1797. It was solemnly dedicated to 
the worship of Almighty God, January 27, 1799. 
The dedicatory discourses, on the occasion, 
were preached by the two pastors ; Rev. Mr. 
Bassett, in the morning, from the 84th Psalm, 
1st and 2d verses; and the Rev. Mr. Johnson, in 
the afternoon, from the 4th verse of the same 
Psalm. At that time this street presented a 
very different aspect from that which it wears 
at present. From State street, the unpaved 
and grassy road was lined with the ancient 
Dutch dwellings, with their gable ends and 
weathercocks, very different from the fine 
modern residences, which are now the homes of 
some of our most respectable citizens. Conspi- 
cuous among the old buildings, was the Vander 
Heyden palace, which stood about where the 
Baptist Church now stands. It was built in 
1725, and taken down in 1833, and was one of 
the most imposing buildings of its day. But 
this Church edifice was in striking contrast to 
the buildings which then surrounded it. It 
rose in its massive and commanding proportions, 
the finest specimen of ecclesiastical architect- 
ure then in the city, and still the largest protest- 
ant house of worship, and showing, after sixty 



35 

years, how faithfully it was constructed. It will 
now outlast many of the more showy edifices, 
which are at this day rising through our country 
Its interior has been twice modified ; once in 
1820, when this pulpit was erected, and again 
in 1850. 

In 1796, the Rev^ John Barent Johnson was 
called to become colleague pastor with Mr. 
Bassett. He was born at Brooklyn, L. I., 
March 3, 1769. His father's name was Barent 
Johnson, of Dutch descent, a farmer in pros- 
perous circumstances. His mother was Maria 
Guest, daughter of Capt. John Guest, of New 
Brunswick, who commanded a vessel which 
sailed from New York to Antigua. He lost both 
his parents before he was nine years old, and 
was brought up by a cousin, who was his father's 
executor. In his 1 7th year, while attending 
school at Flatbush, he became acquainted with 
the Rev. Dr. John H. Livingston, who was 
spending the summer there. Dr. L. discovering 
that he was a youth of much more than ordi- 
nary talents, encouraged him to commence a 
course of liberal studies, and kindly offered to 
receive him into his own family, and superin- 
tend his education. This offer was gratefully 
accepted, and he was soon prepared to enter 



36 

college. In 1788 he entered Columbia College, 
and in the same year became a communicant 
in the Reformed Dutch Church. After his 
graduation he studied theology with Dr. Liv- 
ingston ; was licensed by the classis of New 
York, April 21, 1795, and preached his first 
sermon on the succeeding sabbath in that city 
for the Rev. Dr. Kuypers. 

On the 5th of June, 1796, Mr. Johnson was 
ordained tothe workof the ministry, and settled 
as colleague pastor with Mr. Bassett over this 
Church. His ordination sermon was preached 
by Mr. Bassett. 

In 3 802, Mr. Johnson was called to the Re- 
formed Dutch Church in Schenectady, and also 
to that in Brooklyn. He decided to remove to 
the latter place. He preached his farewell 
sermon to this Church, on the 26th of Septem- 
ber, 1802, and Avas installed in Brooklyn, on 
the 24th of the following October. Among 
other marked features of this sermon, which 
was a very able, earnest and eloquent dis- 
course, is a fine tribute to the Heidelberg 
catechism, and a plea for its faithful and re- 
gular exposition in our churches. His health, 
which was much impaired before his removal 
from Albany, now began to fail rapidly, and the 



37 

death of his wife, which occured in March, 1803, 
contributed to hasten his own. He died at the 
house of his brother-in-law, Peter Rosevelt, 
Esq., in Newtown, August 29, 1803. He left 
three children, two of whom still survive, in 
the ministry of the Episcopal Church; one at 
Jamaica, L. I., and another a professor in the 
Episcopal Theological Seminary in New York. 
From a sketch of Mr. Johnson, from the pen 
of Hon. Tennis Van Vechten, for Eev. Dr. 
Sprague's work on the American Pulpit, we 
learn, that he was a man of unusually prepos- 
sessing personal appearance, and easy and 
graceful manners. " His countenance had an 
expression of great benignity, united with high 
intelligence. His manners were bland and court- 
eous, and predisposed every one who saw him 
to be his friend ; and his countenance and 
manners were a faithful index to his disposition. 
He was acknowledged, on all hands, to possess 
an uncommonly amiable and generous spirit. 
He had the reputation of an excellent pastor. 
He mingled freely and to great acceptance with 
all classes of people. He was particularly 
attentive to the young, and had the faculty of 
making himself exceedingly pleasant to them ; 
this I know from personal experience. 



38 

As a preacher he was undoubtedly one of 
the most popular in the Dutch Church at that 
day. Of his manner in the pulpit, I retain a 
very distinct recollection. His voice was a 
melodious one, and though not of remarkable 
compass, yet loud enough to be heard with 
ease in a large church. His gesture was natu- 
ral and eftective, and sometimes he reached, 
what I should think, a high pitch of pulpit 
oratory." 

At the death of General Washington the 
legislature of the state, then in session, 
requested of the consistory the use of this 
Church for the celebration of appropriate fune- 
ral services, and invited Mr. Johnson to deliver 
the eulogy on that occasion. The service was 
accordingly held Feb. 22d, 1800, and as might 
be supposed, was one of unusual interest and 
solemnity. The Church was hung with black, 
and crowded by a mourning people. The 
oration by Mr. Johnson was a masterly effort, 
and produced a great sensation. It was pub- 
lished by vote of both houses, Hon. Stephen 
Van Renssalaer, being then president of the 
senate, and Hon. Dirck Ten Broeck, speaker 
of the house. Mr. Van Vechten says of it : 
" The exordium was spoken of at the time, as 



39 

a rare specimen of eloquence, and the whole 
performance was of a very high order. I speak 
with confidence concerning this, as it was 
published, and I have had the opportunity of 
reading it, since I have been more competent 
to judge of its merits than I was when it was 
delivered." 

Mr. Van Vechten closes his sketch of Mr. 
Johnson in these words : "He left an excel- 
lent name behind him, and the few who still 
remember him, cherish gratefully the recollec- 
tion of both his gifts, and his graces." 

After the removal of Mr. Johnson, the Church 
made two unsuccessful attempts to secure a suc- 
cessor in the pastoral office. In Sept., 1802, a 
call was sent to the Rev. Henry Kollock, of 
Elizabethtown, and in Dec, 1802, to the Rev. 
Philip Milledoler, of Philadelphia, both of which 
were declined. In 1803, Rev. William Linn, 
was engaged as temporary supply, and con- 
tinued to serve the Church for several years. 

At the removal of Mr. Bassett in 1804, the 
Church was left entirely without a pastor. 
In the meantime it had grown to be one of the 
largest and most influential congregations in 
the state. In Feb., 1805, a call was sent to 
Rev. Edward D. Griffin to become the pastor. 



40 

which was declined. A meeting of the Great 
Consistory was called afterwards, to deliberate 
upon its interests and to consider the subject 
of calling- a pastor. They met on the 27ih of 
May, 1S05. Forty-nine members were present. 
The names of all of them are on record, and it 
is worthy of remark that of these forty-nine 
names, there are only six names which may 
not now be found in the congregation, although 
only one of the individuals who composed the 
meeting yet survives.* At this meeting it was 
decided to call the Rev. John Melancthon 
Bradford to the pastorate of the Church. He 
was required to preach but once on each sab- 
bath daring the first year of his settlement, and 
in case of his marriage was to receive an 
addition to his salary. 

Mr. Bradford was born in Danbury, Conn., 
May 15, 1781. He was the son of the Rev. 
Ebenezer Bradford, then pastor of the Congre- 
gational Church in Danbury. His collegiate 
education was received at Brown University, 
R. I., where he graduated with honor. He 
then pursued his theological studies with the 
Rev. Dr. Green of Philadelphia, one of the 
most distinguished ministers of the Presbyterian 

* The venerable Jacob Ten Eyck, Esq., of Whitehall. 



41 

Church, who was his maternal uncle. He was 
called to the pastoral charge of the Church in 
May, 1805, and having accepted the call was 
ordained to the office of the ministry, and 
installed pastor of the Church. The ordination 
sermon was preached by the Eev. Dr. Linn of 
New York. 

Dr. Bradford continued in the pastoral 
charge about fifteen years. He was a man of 
fine appearance, and dignified manners, and 
an eloquent and impressive preacher. Few 
men have been better fitted by natural endow- 
ments for the position of a public speaker. 
His voice was uncommonly melodious, and his 
gesticulation dignified and graceful. His style 
was rich and yet chaste, and his sermons were 
compositions of a high order. For years he 
commanded large audiences, and was ranked 
among the distinguished pulpit orators of the 
day. 

He died in 1827, leaving a widow and seve- 
ral children who yet survive. One of these, 
Alexander W. Bradford, now holds the office of 
surrogate of New York, and is a gentleman of 
high standing in his profession. 

As early as 1799, the project of building 
another new church, began to receive some 



42 

attention, but it was not finally decided upon 
till 1805. In that year the site of the old stone 
Church in State street was sold to the corpora- 
tion of the city for $5,000, and in the spring of 
] 806, the venerable building, which had been oc- 
cupied by the congregation for nearly a century, 
was taken down. For one hundred and fifty 
years that spot had been occupied as the site of 
a place of worship, and there were many sacred 
and touching associations connected with it. It 
was not strange that many hearts should feel 
emotions of sadness when at last it was given 
up to the crowd and bustle of business. The 
corner stone of the noble edifice noAv occupied 
by the Second Reformed Dutch Church, on 
Beaver street, was laid April 30th, 1806, by 
Rev. Dr. Bradford, and the building after several 
delays in the prosecution of the work was 
finally completed in 1810. It is one of the 
finest specimens of ecclesiastical architecture 
in this city. Indeed there are few superior to 
it, in our country. 

In 1813, the Rev. John De Witt was called 
as colleague pastor with Dr. Bradford. He 
was a native of Catskill, the son of a farmer, 
who desired him to enter the profession of law. 
With this object he spent several years in 




MIDDLE DITCH CHURCH. 



43 

study, and graduated at Nassau Hall, in Prince- 
ton, in 1809. He then commenced the study 
of law in Kinderhook, but his mind having at 
this time been brought under deep religious 
impressions, he felt that it was his duty to 
devote himself to the work of the Christian 
ministry. He accordingly commenced the study 
of theology with the Rev. Dr. Porter of Cats- 
kill, and was first settled in the ministry in 
Lanesboro, Mass., in 1811. From thence he 
was called to become collegiate pastor with 
Dr. Bradford. In 1815, it was deemed advisa- 
ble that the collegiate form of the Church 
should be abandoned, and that two distinct and 
independent congregations should be formed 
each with its own church edifice, pastor and 
consistory. This was carried into effect in an 
amicable spirit. An equitable division was 
made of the Church property, the two pastors 
drew lots for the church edifices, and the 
congregations connected themselves with one 
or the other, according to their individual 
choice, or convictions of duty. Dr. De Witt 
became the pastor of the Second or South 
Church. Dr. Bradford remained with the old 
Church, which was thereafter popularly known 
as the North Dutch Church. 



44 

Dr. De Witt remained pastor of the South or 
Second Church till September, 1823, when he 
was elected to the professorship of Biblical 
criticism, ecclesiastical history, and pastoral 
theology in the Theological Seminary of the 
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, at New 
Brunswick. In this honorable and useful 
position he remained till his death, which oc- 
curred on the 11th of October, 1831, in the 42d 
year of his age. 

Dr. De Witt was a man of frank, joyous, and 
generous nature, yet of accute and tender 
sensibilities. His piety was deep and ardent, 
and his preaching eminently plain, evangelical 
and earnest. His manner in the pulpit was 
unaffectedly dignified and serious, his voice 
clear and strong, and his enunciation distinct 
and deliberate. No man could listen to him 
without pleasure and instruction. As a pastor 
he enjoyed in a high degree the confidence 
and affection of his people, and his separation 
from them was an event deeply regretted by 
them all. 

In October, 1824, Rev. Isaac Ferris was in- 
stalled as pastor of the Second Church, and 
continued in that office, greatly esteemed and 
beloved by his people until the year 1836, when 



45 

he was transferred to the pastoral charge of the 
Reformed Dutch Church, in Market street, New- 
York, where he remained twelve years. He was 
then elected chancellor of the University of 
New York, in which honorable and useful posi- 
tion he now remains. 

In Nov., 1836, th(; Rev. Isaac N. Wyckoff 
was installed pastor of the Second Church, 
where he still remains, after a pastorate of 
twenty-one years, enjoying the confidence and 
affection of his people. " Serus redeat in ccehun." 

During the ministry of Dr. Ferris, and mainly 
through his instrumentality, the Third Re- 
formed Dutch Church, in this city, was organ- 
ized, December 19, 1834. The first pastor was 
the Rev. Edwin Holmes. He was settled in 
February, 1835, and resigned his charge in 
1840. The Rev. Andrew Yates, D. D., supplied 
the pulpit, and labored very efficiently and 
successfully inbehalf of the Church, till Novem- 
ber, 1841. 

In Nov., 1841, Rev. W. H. Campbell, D. D., 
was installed pastor, and continued his ac- 
ceptable labors till September, 1848, when he 
entered upon his duties, as the principal of the 
Albany Academy, from which he was trans- 
ferred to the Theological Seminary at New 



46 

Brunswick, where he now labors with distin- 
guished ability in the service of the church at 
large. 

Rev. Rutgers Van Brunt was ordained and 
installed pastor after the removal of Dr. Camp- 
bell, but was soon obliged, by the failure of his 
health, to resign his charge. He was succeeded 
by Rev. W. W. Holloway, who remained until 
1853, and then entered upon another field of 
labor. 

The present pastor. Rev. Alexander Dickson, 
was installed in October, 1853, and still con- 
tinues, the able and devoted minister of an 
affectionate people. 

The retirement of Dr. Bradford, from the 
charge of this Church, left them again without 
a pastor. The pulpit was supplied for about 
three years by different ministers, among whom 
were Revds. Gabriel Ludlow, Eli Baldwin, 

John Kennedy, Bruen, R. McLeod and 

M. W. Dwight. 

On the 31st day of August, 1822, a call was 
given to the Rev. John Ludlow, then professor 
of Biblical literature and ecclesiastical history 
at New Brunswick, which was accepted ; and 
in July, 1823, Dr. Ludlow entered upon his 
duties as pastor of this Church. His installa- 




SOUTH DUTCH CHUKCH. 



47 

tion sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. 
Yates, and was published at the request of the 
consistory. 

Dr. Ludlow was born at Acquackanonck, 
N. J., Dec. 13, 1793. He graduated at Union 
College in 1814. He studied theology at New 
Brunswick; was licensed to preach in 1817, 
and in the year following was installed pastor 
of the First Reformed Dutch Church in New 
Brunswick. In June, 1819, he was elected as 
a professor in the Theological Seminary, from 
whence, in 1823, he removed to Albany. In 
1834 he became provost of the University of 
Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, where he re- 
mained till 1852, when he was again elect- 
ed professor of ecclesiastical history, church 
government, and pastoral theology, at New 
Brunswick, which professorship he filled with 
distinguished ability till his death, which 
occurred on the 8th of September, 1857. 

Of the character of Dr. Ludlow, as a man, 
and a minister, it is not needful that I should 
enlarge. His memory is too fresh and fragrant 
among this congregation to require that I 
should add anything to your own stores of 
knowledge. You have lately listened to an 
able and faithful delineation of his character, 



48 

from our friend and brother, Rev. Dr. Wyckoff, 
and you have his discourse in your possession^ 
as a memorial of your former pastor. Suffice it 
to say, that Dr. Ludlow was a bright and con- 
sistent illustration of all that distinguishes the 
minister of Christ. He was bold, fearless, 
earnest as a preacher, uncompromising in his 
devotion to the truth, and faithful to declare 
the whole counsel of God. To the hardened 
sinner he was a ^' son of thuiider;" to the 
weeping penitent, a "son of consolation.^' His 
ministry was much blessed of God, and there 
are many now who look back to him, as the 
earthly instrument of their conversion. The 
turf is yet green upoQ his grave, but when the 
storm winds of years shall have blown over it, 
his memory will be green and fresh in the 
midst of this people. 

In 1828 the consistory voted to erect a par- 
sonage, on the rear of the Church lot, and 
appointed a building committee for that pur- 
pose. They subsequently, and very wisely, 
modified that purpose, and erected the present 
new Consistory Room on that site, and altered the 
former Consistory Building into a Parsonage, 
which, after several additions and improve- 
ments, suggested by the liberality of the people, 



49 

now furnishes a spacious and delightful resi- 
dence to the pastor of the Church. 

In March, 1835, the Rev. Thomas E. 
Vermilye, then pastor of the Congregational 
Church, of West Springfield, Mass., where he 
succeeded the Rev. Dr. Sprague, who has been 
for twenty-eight years the esteemed pastor of 
the Second Presbyterian Church in this city, 
was called to the pastoral care of the Church, 
He remained here between four and five years, 
enjoying a happy and prosperous ministry, and 
was then transferred to the Collegiate Dutch 
Church of New York, where for eighteen years 
he has labored, and where he still remains, a 
faithful and acceptable minister, in connection 
with the three excellent brethren who share 
with him the labors and responsibilities of that 
important charge. 

After the removal of Dr. Vermilye, the pulpit 
was supplied for more than a year by Rev. John 
Austin Yates, D. D., then professor in Union 
College. Dr. Yates was a preacher of uncom- 
mon eloquence and power. His sermons made 
a deep impression upon the congregation, and 
a call was informally tendered to him, to the 
pastoral office, which, however, he declined. 

The Rev. Duncan Kennedy, then pastor of 

7 . 



50 

the Presbyterian Church in Galway, Saratoga 
county, was chosen to succeed Dr. Vermilye, 
and was installed pastor, December 22, 1841. 
After laboring in this field with zeal and fidelity 
for more than thirteen years, during some of 
which, large accessions were made to the 
Church, Dr. Kennedy, in 1855, accepted a call 
to the Second Presbyterian Church in Troy, 
where he still remains, the acceptable pastor of 
a large and important congregation. 

In August, 1856, a call was presented to the 
Rev. Ebenezer P. Rogers, D. D., then pastor of 
the Seventh Presbyterian Church in Phila- 
delphia, which was accepted, and he was 
installed pastor of this Church, November 19, 
1856. 

I have thus brought down the record of the 
history of this Church to the present time. Two 
hundred and fifteen years at least, have passed 
away, since the first minister began his labors 
here. What changes have been wrought in 
those years ? "Where the insignificant trading 
post of Fort Orange then stood, with its few 
hundred inhabitants, rise the domes and spires 
of this goodly city, with its 70,000 inhabitants, 
its fifty churches, its numerous commercial, 
manufacturing, benevolent, philanthropic and 



II 



51 

scientific institutions, the capital of a great 
state.' The little cluster of worshipers, who 
sat under the instructions of Domine Megapo- 
lensis, has grown into three flourishing congre- 
gations, embracing 600 families, nearly 1,200 
communicants, and nearly 2,500 souls con- 
nected with the congregations.* These three 
congregations are here to-day, united in the 
delightful duty of thanksgiving to God for all 
his mercies. Though three, we are one ; one 
in our name, our origin, our faith, our polity, 
our spirit, and our aim. We rejoice in each 
other's joy; we sympathize in each other's 
sorrow. United as we are by so many asso- 
ciations and memories of the past, let us be 
still more closely united in the history of the 
future. To you, beloved brethren of our sister 
churches, we tender our warmest assurances of 
Christian love and sympathy. Your beloved 
pastors are heartily welcome to this pulpit. 
You shall always have a place in these pews ; 
and in token of these, the sincere feelings of 
our hearts, for myself, and for this Church, I 

*In 1851, the North Church reported to General Synod, 
200 families ; communicants 407. The Middle Church, 254 
families ; communicants 560. The South Church, 85 families; 
communicants 350. 



52 

tender to you, through your pastors, the hand 
of Christian fellowship. 

Connected with this Church are about 200 
families, embracing 1,000 souls, while our list 
of communicants embraces more than 400, 
fifty-one of whom have been added during the 
past year. 

Have we not something then for which to 
render thanks to Almighty God, on this day of 
public thanksgiving and praise? We thank 
God, for our origin, our name and our history. 
We thank Him for that constant care and 
kindness which He has displayed towards us 
as a Church for two hundred and fifteen years. 
We thank Him, for the long line of able, 
faithful and eloquent ministers, who have gone 
in and out before this people in the years that 
are past. We thank Him for the men of piety 
and wisdom who have been entrusted with 
the government of the Church, and who hav- 
ing ruled well are accounted " worthy of double 
honor." We thank Him for the names which 
stand conspicuous in the history of our country, 
in the ranks of her soldiers, her jurists, her 
statesmen, her scholars, and which may be 
found recorded among the members of this 



53 

congregation.* We thank Him for the godly 
men and women who have gone from the 
fellowship of the Church below, to that of the 
Church above, leaving behind them that 
"memory of the just," which is "blessed." 

We thank Him for the memory of that 
devoted Foreign Missionary who went forth 
from the bosom of this Church to labor, and to 
die in the service of our Master, on heathen 
ground. We thank Him, that now, after two 
centuries have passed away, we are permitted 
to occupy such a distinguished place, in our 
denomination, and country. We thank Him 
for the piety, intelligence, and means of ex- 
tended usefulness, which characterize us as a 
people to day. The old North Dutch Church 
while she is the senior of all other Churches 
in this city, is surely in a green old age, and 
will yield to none of her sister churches in the 
power of usefulness which God still gives her. 
Let our united thanksgivings ascend to God for 
all His goodness to our fathers, and to us their 
children. And let us feel the solemn responsi- 
bilities which our history and position devolve 
upon us. For to whomsoever much is given, 
of such shall much be required. I confess, 

* See Appendix, Note G. 



54 

my friends, that the thought of this responsi- 
bility makes me tremble. And yet I am 
cheered and encouraged, by the many hopeful 
indications which the history of the past year 
has recorded. I would fain anticipate for this 
ancient Church, a glorious future. I would 
anticipate her progress in piety, zeal, liberality, 
and efficiency in her Master's service. I would 
rejoice in the hope that the God who was with 
your fathers, will be with you and your child- 
ren. And when all of us have been called to 
leave our places, and our duties here, I rejoice 
to hope, and believe, that this Church will still 
remain, through generations yet to come, a 
monument of God's faithfulness to His cove- 
nant with His people, and a source of spiritual 
light and blessedness to this city, this country, 
and the world ! 



APPENDIX. 



NOTE A. 

Wessel Gansevoort and Rudolph Agricola. 

These men were among the " morning stars," of the 
Reformation in Holland, as Wyckliffe was in England, 
and Huss and Jerome, in Bohemia. " They were natives 
of Groningen, and eminent scholars, who in the latter 
part of the 15th century, fifty years before Luther 
studied the scriptures, came to the knowledge of 
the doctrine of the justification by faith as well as the 
other cardinal doctrines of the gospel." 

Through the kindness of Gen. Peter Gansevoort of 
this city, I have been favored with the following ac- 
count of Wessel Gansevoort, which was obtained by 
Hon. Harmanus Bleecker, during his residence at the 
Hague, from authentic documents in Holland. 

Jan "Wessel Hermansz. (son of Herman) Gansfort or 
Ganzefoort, was born at Groningen in the year 1419, 
After the loss of his parents he was brought up by a 
respectable lady of that place, to whom his mother 
was related. She sent him with her son of the same 
age, to Zwolle, that he might there, in the flourishing- 
school of the Brotherhouse, acquire the rudiments of 
learning. He afterwards pursued his studies at Cologne ; 



56 

where from the Greek, the study of which was not 
permitted in his own country, he acquired a more 
thorough knowledge of the original text of the New 
Testament. 

Subsequently he resided for some time at Heidelberg 
and Louvain ; also long at Paris and in Home ; in all 
which places he endeavored to be useful, by instructing 
in several sciences, especially in philosophy, in which 
he followed the opinion of Plato. But what he taught 
with most fondness was the Christian theology. In this 
he was frequently opposed by the priests, who admired, 
but hated him. Whenever he found no hindrance, he 
shed on this subject, an unusual light, which was re- 
ceived by the intelligent, and handed down to posterity. 
Finally, when he was fifty years old, he established him- 
self in his native city, Groningen. Here he spent the 
remnant of his days in the Cloister of the Holy Virgins, 
and died on the 4th of October 1489. In the mean- 
while, he passed much time in the Abbey of 

not far from Groningen, where there was then a very 
celebrated school, over which he acquired an unlimited 
influence. As he was an uncommonly learned man, he 
also exceeded all his cotemporaries in the knowledge 
of theology. He taught that the holy scriptures were 
the only rule of faith and godliness, rejecting as such 
a rule, the traditions of the church, the decrees of 
councils, and the writings of the fathers. He taught 
that the righteousness of Christ was imputed to us by 
faith, and that no one could be saved by the righteous- 
ness of the law; that the holy sacrament was desecrated 
by the abuse of the mass ; that by indulgencies a com- 
merce was carried on utterly opposed to the doctrine 
of the Gospel concerning the forgiveness of sins ; that 
the notion of a purgatory as it was maintained by the 
priesthood, must be viewed as a chimera ; that in so far 
as the pope has a supremacy, he is by no means infallible; 



57 

that he can not forgive sins, &c. In consequence of all 
this, Luther long afterwards perceived that Gansevoort 
had thought exactly like him ; and made this just observa- 
tion, that it would appear to the enemies of the Reforma- 
tion that he had read the writings of this man, and 
borrowed from them all his opinions. But notwith- 
standing this was not entirely the case, it was matter of 
great joy to him that he had been so confirmed in his 
opinions. Erasmus had before made the same observa- 
tion in relation to Luther, compared with Gansevoort, 
adding however that the last had brought forward 
everything with a more moral and Christian pro- 
perty than the former, and the greater part of his 
followers. Luther also acknowledged this, and ascribed 
it to this alone, that Gansevoort had not been able to 
advance the work of the Reformation beyond the circle 
of his friends at, and in the neighborhood of Gro- 
ningen, and thus had been only a forerunner of the 
Reformation. 

All the writings of Gansevoort, have been collectively 
published at several places and times. The first edition 
at "Wittemberg in the year 1521, under the superintend- 
ence of, and with a jjreface by Luther. Other editions 
followed long afterwards at Arnhem, and at Groningen, 
in the year 1614, and at Marburg in the year 1617. 

Agricola, on the other hand, was distinguished for his 
attainments in Greek and Latin literature, and in vari- 
ous sciences. He spent a great part of his life as a 
professor at Heidelberg, and preceded Erasmus in 
applying a knowledge of Greek to the critical examina- 
tion of the New Testament. In theological views, he 
harmonized with his friend and countryman Gansevoort. 
The seed sown by these men was quickened into life by 
the Reformation. — [Demaresfs History and Characteristics 
of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church.) 
8 



58 



NOTE B. 

Although we have not been able to find the record of 
the labors of any minister before the arrival of Doraine 
Megapolensis in 1642, yet from the allusion in his call, 
as well as from the character of the Hollanders, there 
is reason to suppose that the institutions of religion 
were planted in the colony at an earlier day. The Col- 
legiate Church in New York is said by some to have 
been organized as early as 1619. Among the manu- 
scripts of the. late Rev. Dr. Livingston, there is refer- 
ence to a list of the members of that church in 1622. 
But Dr. Livingston also says in another of his manu- 
scripts that " in Albany they had ministers as early as 
any in New York, if not before them." It is certainly 
possible, that the first church organized in this country, 
was the church in Albany. 



NOTE C. 

The following additional particulars respecting Do- 
mine Megapolensis, we gather from Vol. Ill of the 
New York Historical Society Collections, from the pen 
of J. Eomeyn Brodhead, Esq. 

" Nor were the pious services of Megapolensis con- 
fined to his own countr3^men. A part of his duty was 
to " edify and improve" the savages in the neighbor- 
hood. He therefore applied himself diligently to the 
task of learning what he termed the "heavy language" 
of the Mohawks, so as to be able to speak and preach 
to them fluently. The Red men around Fort Orange 
or Beverwyck were soon attracted to hear the preaching 
of the gospel ; Megapolensis, the first protestant Dutch 



59 

clergyman on the northern frontier of New Netherlands 
thus gave, in 1643, the example of missionary zeal, 
which, three years afterwards, in 1646, was imitated, 
near Boston, by John Eliot, the " Morning Star " of a 
similar enterprise in New England. 

" An incident occurred about this time, which should 
not be omitted in any notice of Domine Megapolensis. 
Father Isaac Jogues, a noble-hearted and self-denying 
Jesuit missionary, while on his way from Quebec to the 
Chippeways, was taken prisoner by the Mohawks, and 
suft'ered horrible cruelties from the savages. During the 
winter of 1642-3, however, some of his persecutors 
began to listen to his teachings, and his situation was 
so far improved that he was allowed to make occasional 
visits, with parties of the Mohawks, to the neighboring 
Dutch at Fort Orange, who did all they could to eflect 
his deliverance. At length Jogues eluded the vigilance 
of the savages, and remained for several weeks in close 
concealment, during which constant kindness was shown 
him by Domine Megapolensis, who had become his 
warm friend. The Jesuit father was eventually ran- 
somed by the Dutch, and sent down to Manhattan, 
whence he sailed for Europe. Jogues returned to 
Canada in 1646, and again visited the Mohawks, by 
whom he was cruelly put to death. 

" In 1644, two years after his settlement at Bever- 
wyck, Domine Megapolensis drew up the tract entitled 
Korte Ontwerp van de Mahakuase Indianen in Jfieuw JYeder- 
landt, &c., or, " A Short Sketch of the Mohawk Indians 
in Nelv' Netherland, &c." This little work is said by 
Van der Donck (N. Y. H. S. Coll. [II. Series], i, p. 158,) 
to have been in the form of a letter written to his 
friends in Holland, by whom it appears to have been 
published — as the domine himself said — " Avithout his 
consent." Van der Donck, who is very competent 
authority, adds, that it " may be fully credited, he [Me- 



60 

gapolensis] being a man of truth and of great learning, 
who writes in a vigorous style." The domine's tract 
gives a very interesting account of the Mohawk Indians, 
their habits and customs, of which but little was then 
known in Holland. ***** 

"Megapolensis never lost his interest in the Mohawk 
savages, among whom he had spent his early years in 
the province. His letters to the chassis of Amsterdam 
contani several interesting details concerning them, 
from whom he obtained the missal and other memorials 
of his murdered friend, the missionary Father Jogues. 
In 1658, another Canadian Jesuit, Simon Le Moyne, who, 
in the summer of 1654, had discovered the salt springs 
at Onondaga, visited New Amsterdam, and became 
quite intimate with Megapolensis. He related to him 
his discovery at Onondaga, which the domine commu- 
nicated to the classis in Holland, adding, however, a 
somewhat uncourteous expression of his doubt of the 
fact. Le Moyne seems to have been very anxious to 
effect the conversion of his Dutch clerical friend to the 
Romish doctrine, and wrote three polemical essays, 
which he sent to Megapolensis, after his return to the 
North. The domine, however, not shaken in his faith, 
prepared a reply to the father, which he dispatched to 
him by a bark which sailed from New Amsterdam for 
Quebec. But the vessel — which was the first that 
cleared from Manhattan for Canada — on entering the 
Saint Lawrence was wrecked on the Island of Anticosti 
and Le Moyne lost the benefit of the domine's elaborate 
answer. ******* 

" Megapolensis, after seven years' service at Bever- 
wyck, and twenty years' labor at Manhattan, died in 
the discharge of his pastoral functions. He was a man 
of thorough scholarship, energetic character, and de- 
voted piety ; and he is entitled to high, if not preemi- 
nent position, in the roll of early protestant missionaries 



61 

among the North Americ-dii savages. For nearly a quarter 
of a century he exercised a marked influence in the afl"airs 
of New Netherhmd. He saw the infancy of the Dutch 
province, watched its growth, and witnessed its sur- 
render to overpowering English force. His name must 
ever be associated with the early history of New York, 
towards the illustration of which his correspondence 
with the classis of Amsterdam, now in the possession 
of the general synod of the Reformed Protestant Dutch 
Church, and this sketch of the Mohawk Indians, form 
original and very valuable contributions." 



The Baptismal Register 
For 1690 contains the following names of Indian con- 
verts : 

Age. Bap. Name. 

Sucongara (Little Plank), 40, David, 

Kowajatense (his wife), 30, Rebecca, 

Tekaneadaroga, 22, Isaac, 

Tejonihokarawe (Open the Door),. . . 30, Hendrick, 

Karauondo (Uplifter), 50, Lydia, 

Kaadejiheudara, 12, Seth, 

Siouheja (Lively), Rachel, 

Skanjodowanne (Eagle's Beak),. Manasse, 

Sagonorasse (Fast Binder), 12, Adam, 

Karehodongwas (The Plucker), 16, Eunice, 

(Son of Eunice) 9 mos. Simon, 

Kwaorate (Mother of Eunice), 60, Leah, 

Karehojenda (Daughter of Leah),. . . 30, Alida, 

Waniho, 40, Josine, 

Daughter of Josine, 9, Jakomina, 

Son of Josine, 7, Joshua. 



62 



NOTE D. 

Petition for Rebuilding the Dutch Church in Albany. 

To His Excellency Robert Hunter Esqr Cap* Generall 

and Governour in Chief of the provinces of New York 

New Jersey and Territories thereon Depending in 

America and vice Admirall of the Same <fec 

The Humble Petition of Petrus van Driesen Minister 

of the Nether Dutch Reformed Congregation of the City 

and County of Albany and the Elders and Deacons of 

the said Congregation, Humbly Sheweth 

That the Predecessors of your Excellency's humble 
Petitioners in the year of our Lord 1655 & 1656 when 
this towne was Settled did with assistance of the then 
nether dutch Congregation build and Erect at their own 
proper Cost and Charge the Church belonging to the 
said congregation (Standing & being in the said City) 
for their Christian devotion and Publick worship of 
Almighty god, in the Exercise of the Reformed pro- 
testant Religion, which Church is Since been Confirmed 
to the Mayor Alderman & Commonalty of y" Said City 
by Charter, under the Seale of the Province. 

That the said Church being built of timber & boards 
is by time so much dccayd that they find themselves 
under the necessity of building a new one in its place 
and your Petitioners believing your Excellencys Con- 
tinance and approbation will be very advantageous to 
them, in this their undertaking. 

Your Excys Petitioners do therefore most humbly 
pray that your Excellency will please to approve and 
Encourage this pious work by signifying such your ap- 



63 

probation and your petitioners as in duty bound shall 

Ever pray &c 

Peteus van Driessen Y. D. Prgeco 

Johannes Rooseboom 

Myndert Schuyler 

Hendr van Rensselaer 

Johannes Beekman 

EUTGERT BlEECKER 

Stevanie Groesbeck 
I do approbe of what is desired In the petition and 
recommend the Same to all who are concernd 

18 June 1714 Ro: Hunter 

Introduction to Mr. Van Driessen's Three Discourses. 
We give below the introduction to three sermons by 
Rev. Mr. Van Driessen, two of which were preached on 
the accession of King George I to the throne of Great 
Britain, and one on the occasion of Gov. Burnet's treaty 
with the Five Nations. The sermons were printed in 
1726: 

To his Excellency WILLIAM BURJYET, Esq ; Captain 

General and Governour in Chief of the Provinces of 

JYew-York, JYew-Jersey, and the Territories depending 

thereon in Avierica, and Vice Admiral of the same, &c. 

May it 'please Your Excellency : 

Of Ancient Times certain Princes of this "World, thro' 
the Greatness of their Souls, have made themselves 
renowned ; so that several Princes are famed, that 
They held the Scepter in their left Hand, but the Pen 
in their Right : And thence the old Proverb, HIS 
PROVIDE ET PROVIDE; that they might not only show 
themselves ready and capable for the Execution of those 
Affairs, confided and subjected to them, but were also 
willing to prove the Elevation of their Souls (called by 
Aristotle the Lord of Nature) by applying and explaining 



64 

themselves in their Studies of noble Sciences : Cassidorus 
calls it the Croun and Lustre of the Majesty of Princes, as 
of a far greater Lustre in a Crown than precious Stones, 
and more Excellent than the best of Jewels. 

This Nobleness of Mind has not a little contributed 
to the good Management of their Affairs ; thereby 
evincing that they were capable to Execute such Matters 
as were fitting for their Grandeur. 

In the Picture of Ccesar, standing upon a Globe, he is 
seen holding a Sword in one Hand and a Pair of Scales 
in the other, with this Motto, ON BOTH SIDES C^SJIR,- 
whereby we are taught, that in Government an illumin- 
ated Judgment, as well as the Use of Arms, was neces- 
sary : Therefore it was very pertinently said by the 
Ancients, Good Learning is Silver in the common People, 
Gold in the JYobles, but in the Princes precious Stones : Yea, 
the Holy Scriptures exalts them yet above all those 
Excellencies ; so Wisdom in such Persons is glorifying 
her Government, as they are thereby glorified. 

I having the Honour and Happiness to know Your 
Excellency, not only in your Chief Government of these 
American Provinces, but also as being endued with the 
noble Attributes of a zealous Lover of noble Sciences 
and Languages ; thereby continually animating Your 
great Soul to a further Progress in sound Knowledge, 
both of Divine and Temporal Matters, to the greater 
Liistre of Your Excellency and Advancement in Repu- 
tation and Grandeur. 

So that the Greatness of Soul of your deceased 
Father revives in you, who exceeded in all what may 
be called Learning, many of his Cotemporaries, and as 
such was highly esteemed and loved by Foreigners, as 
also for his Zeal for the true Religion, manifested as 
the Flower and Lustre of Pious Men, when the Mystery 
of Iniquity was in Travel and brought forth Vanity, at 
the Time when his Honour published his History of 



65 

the Reformation ; and shewed himself moreover, with 
many others, a vigilant Defender of that blessed Con- 
stitution in Church and State, whereof we now enjoy 
the pleasant Fruits, which will cause him to be admired 
by our Posterity in many Ages, and therefore to live 
forever in the Remembrance of us and ours. 

How just is then the Oppinion of such who are 
assured hereof, and have the Honour to know Your 
Excellency, and have spied out Your innate Love to 
Learning, and that Your Excellency ma3' be numbered 
among those that are said to Patrizare, I mean to suc- 
ceed their renowned Parents in their excellent Virtues. 
Aristotle said once, It is likely that those are better that draw 
their Pedigree from the Good. To that End we read in 
Horace, 

Fortes creantur Fortihus, Sj- Bonis. 

Est in JuTcncis, est in Equis Par turn 
Virtus : nee imhellem feroces 
Progenerunt Aquillce Collumbam. 

Your Excellency honoured me with your Presence 
when I treated of The Anointment of the Powers of this 
World, by the Divine Jesus ; on the occasion of Your Excel- 
lency's treating ivith the Five JYations of Indians, upon Prov. 
Vni, 14,-16. Doing me the Honour to desire that 
Sermon of me; far from it that I should have formed 
the least Thoughts that would have been unwilling to 
shew my Readiness to satisfy Your Excellency, that, on 
the contrary, I not only concluded to dedicate the same 
to your Excellency, but also to joyn thereunto Solomcnis 
Coronation and Exaltation to the Throne, on Occasion of his 
Majesty King George's Accession to the Crown and Throne 
q/'Great Britain ; upon 1 Reg. 1, 36,-40. A Matter brought 
forth from the sincere Inclination of my Heart, which I 
have to our present Sovereign Lord GEORGE, by the 
Grace of god, King of Great Britain, and my Desire for 
the Establishing the Protestant Being. A happy Esta- 
9 



66 

blishment, which we are to look upon as a happy Con- 
sequence and Effect of the Actions of the great and 
jorevoyant King Williain the third, of glorious Memory, 
and his faithful Ministers of State, Avho certainly effected 
it plura Concilio quam Vi. An Establishment, neverthe- 
less, which we ought peculiarly to ascribe to the Provi- 
dence of the most High. So that we must acknowl- 
edge, that this great Event depends more on the divine 
Council than on the Power or Wisdom of Men. 

Hereunto I have added. The Scaffold of Felonious 
Traitors against their lawful Sovereign Lord George, King 
of Great Britain, erected and exposed to View ; upon Psal. 
LXn, 3,-7. In Expectation that this Sermon would be 
no less pleasant to Your Excellency than the former, 
considering Your Love for the Kings Happiness and 
Zeal for the Commonwealth. They who designed to 
dethrone their lawful Sovereign King GEORGE, are de- 
ceived in their Enterprize, and all their Designs are 
fallen out to their Shame. A Prove of the horrid Per- 
versness oi Jlntichristian Malignants, wickedly designing 
to change the Protestant Religion into Papal Tyranny. 

For the rest, with this Dedication I do express my 
Acknowledgment and Esteem for Your Excellencj'^s 
penetrating Judgment in noble Sciences ; as also my 
Duty to You, as my Superiour Governour ; my Desire 
is that they may serve as a Token of my Gratitude for 
the especial Favours wherewith Your Excellency has 
honoured me during my Abode here. 

And ray Prayer to the Alsufficicnt God is, That he 
endue Your Excellency with more Wisdom, and make You 
more and more capable to execute those high Powers of Go- 
vernment, under the Divine Providence entrusted unto You by 
His Majesty, and thai according to the best Policy, to the 
Wellbeing of Church and State ; and that especially the Af- 
fairs of the Kingdom, which are here of great Consequence, 
may, under Your good Government, be happy and flourish. 



67 

To which End the Lord grant you Wise, Faithful and 
Wellmeaning Counsellors, to make Your Government the more 
praiseworthy, and the Inhabitants happy and prosperous. 

Yea, the Lord crown Your Person, Government and Family 
with Grace anck Honour, in Length of Days. 
This Desires, Wishes and Prays, 

May it please Your Excellency, 

Your Excellency's faithful, and 

ready Servant in the Lord, 
Petrus Van Drissen. 



NOTE E. 
Early Members of the Church. 
We give below the list of members from 1683, as they 
stand upon the records of the Church in the hand- 
writino; of Mr. Dellius: 



Juriaan Teunis, 

Ariaentje Teunis, 

Abraham Staats, 

Tryntje Staats, 

Willem Teller, 

Marritje Teller, 

Jan Becker, 

Mari Becker, 

Aarnout Cornells Vilen, 

Gerrigje Vilen, 

Andries Teller, 

Sephia Teller, 

Johannes Provoost, 

Cornells Van Dyck, 

Lysbet Van Dyck, 

Catryn Rutgirs, 

Anaetje Lives (married 
Goosen Gerritsen Van 
Scayck, July, 1657), 



Jochum Staats, 

Lysbet Bancker, 

Margeriet Schuyler, 

Richart Pritti, 

Lysbet Pritti, 

Annetje Staats, 

Jan Tomes, 

Geertruyt Tomes, 

Jacob Schermerhorn (im- 
migrated 1645 ?), 

Janetje Schermerhorn (da. 
of Cornells Sogers), 

Meindort Herman (VanDen 
Bogert), 

Heleen Hermans (his wife, 
and da. of Jacob Jans 
Schermerhorn), 

Evert Wendel the Father, 

Merritje Wendels, 



68 



Johannes Wendell, 

Ly sbet Wendell (now Schuy- 

ler), 
Hendrick Cuyler, 
Annetje Cuyler, 
Henderick Rosenboom, 
Gysbertje Rosemboom (da. 

of Lansing), 

Jan Ouderkerck, 

Dirck Wesselse TenBrouck, 

Styntje Ten Brouck (da. of 

Cornells Maasen Van Beu- 

ren ?), 
Marten Krygier, 
Jannetje Krygier (da. of 

Hendricks), 

Adriaan Gerrits (Papen- 

dorp), 
Jannetje Gerrits (his wife), 
Gerrit Swart, 
Antonia Swart, 
Wouter Van Den Uythost, 
Leendert Phlipsen (Conyn), 
Agnietje Leenderts (his 

wife), 
Anna Van der Heyden, 
Arien Van Elpendam, 
Gerrit Van Esch, 
Marietje Van Esch, 
Hermen Tomes (Hun?), 
Catelyntje Tomes (his wife) 
Anna Kettel, 

Grietje Gouws (she is dead) 
Taakel Dircks, 
Marritje Taakels (his wife), 



Wynand Gerrits (Van der 

Poel), 
Tryntje Wynands (his wife) 
Pieter Loockerraan, 
Marretje Lookermans, 
David Schuyler, 
Catelyntje Schuyler, 
Pieter Mees Vrooman, 
Folikje Vrooman, 
Jacob Mees Vrooman, 
Lysbeth Vrooman, 
A albert Ryckman, 
Nelletje Ryckman, 
Sybrent Van Schayck, 
Lysbet Van Schayck (now 

Corlaar), 
Jacob Staats, 
Ryckje Staats, 
Willem Percker, 
Maria Percker, 
Robbert Levinchston, 
Alida Levinchston (da. of 

Schuyler), 

Philip Freest, 

Tryntje Freest (da. of 

Kip), 
Gerrit Hardenberch, 
Joapje Hardenberch, 
Abraham Van Tricht, 
Lysbeth Van Tricht (now 

Vanderpoel), 
Symen (Jacobs) Schermer- 

horn, 
Wilmje Schermerhorn (now 

Winnen), 



69 



Johannes de Wandelaar, 
Sara de Wandelaar (da. of 

Schep-Moes). 

Johannes Van Sandt, 
Margeriet Van Sant, 
Melchert Wynandts (Vau- 

derpoel). 
Areaantje Wynandts (his 

wife). 
Laurens Van Alen, 
Elbertje Van Alen, 
Tryntje Rutten (now Rose- 
boom), 
Jan Jans Bleecker, 
GrietjenBleecker(da. of 

Van Schoendemund), 
Jan Byvang, 
Belia Byvang, 
Gerrit Lansing, 
Elsje Lansing, 
Hendrick Lansing, 
Lysbet Lansing, 
Jan Lansing, 
Geertje Lansing, 
Jan Nack, 
Jan Vinhagel, 
Marretje Vinhagel, 
Geertje Bout, 
Willem Bout, 
Luycas Gerrits, 
Antje Lucas, 
Isaac Verplanck, 
Abigail Verplanck (da. of 

Bogert), 

Johannes Beeckman, 
Machtelt Beeckman (da. of 

Jacob J. Schermerhorn), 



Nicolaas Van Rotterdam, 
Lysbet Van Rotterdam, 
Harmen Bastiaans (Vis- 

scher), 
Hester Bastiaans (da. of 

Turk), 

Robbert Sanders (Glen?), 
Elsje Sanders (Glen), 
Jacob Sanders (Glen), 
Caatje Sanders (nowDouw) 
Nicolaas Rips, 
Marie Nicolaas Rips, 
Jacob Coenraats, 
Geertje Jacobs (his wife), 
Johannes Roosenboom, 
Margeriet Roosenboom, 
Jan Cloet, 
Bata Cloet (da. of 

Slightenhast), 
Pieter Davids Schuyler, 
Alida Schuyler (da. of Sligh- 
tenhast), 
Guysbert Marselis, 
Barbar Marselis (his wife, 

da. of Claas Jacobs Groes- 

beck), 
Willem Claes Groesbeeck, 
Geertruyt Groosbeeck (da. 

of Schuyler), 

Johannes Roos, 

Cornelia Roos, 

Jan Gilbert, 

Cornelia Gilbert (da. of 

Van den Bergh), 
Evert Wendel (the son), 
Lysbeth Wendel (da. of 

Glen), 



70 

Cornells Scherluyn, Cornelis Gysberts (Van den 

Geertruyt Scherluyn (da. of Pieter Winne, [Bergh), 

Harman B. Visscher), Tanne Winne, 
Rachel llettle, Leviniis Winne, 
Jacob Loockerman, Jan Salomons (Goewey), 
Tryntje Loockerman, Caatje Salomons (his wife), 
Caatje Lookerman (now and da. of Looker- 

Ten Brock), man), 

Jacob Abrahams, Barbar Salomons (Goewey) 

Catelyntje Jacobs (his wife) Dirck Bensing, 
Nicolaes Van Elslant, Fytje Bensing, 

Aaltje Frans (Pruyn), Lysbet Herris (now Kaer), 

Johannes Appel, Huybertje Jeedts, 

Anetje Appel, Pieter Schuyler, 

Johannes Tomes (Mingaal), Engeltje Schuyler, 
Mari Jans (Mingall, da. of Arent Schuyler, 

Jan Jans Oothout), Maria Van Reuselaar, 

Jacobus Turck, Ciliaan Van Renselaar, 

Caatje Turck (da. of Van Anna Van Renselaar, 

Benthuisen), Teunis (Cornelis) Van der 

Levinus Van Schayck, Poel, 

Margaret Van Schayck, Catryn Van der Poel, 

Henderick Bries, Anna Van der Poel, 

Marie Bries (now Loker- Hendrick Van Esch, 

mans), Annetje Van Esch, 

Reimer Barents, Luycas Pieters (Coeyman), 

Bastiaan Harmens (Vis- Ariaantje Lucas (his wife), 

scher), Adam Winnen, 

Dirckje Bastiaans (his wife, Anna Winnen (now Teu_ 

and da. of Teunis Teu- nisse), 

nisse de Metselaar), Marten Jans, 

Maas Cornelis (Van Buren), Jannetje Martens (his wife, 

Jacomyn Maas (his wife), and da. of' 'Cornelis), 

Willem Guysberts (Van den Marritje Quakelbosch, 

Bergh), Douwe Jelis (died Nov. 27, 

Catryn Willems (his wife), 1700), 



71 



Rebecca Douws (his wife), 

Wouter Quakelbosch, 

Neeltje Quakelbosch, 

Jan (Pieters) Quakelbosch, 

Machtelt Quakelbosch (da. 
of Jan Post), 

Reinier (Pieters) Quakel- 
bosch, 

Lysbit Quackelbosch, 

Folekje Brabanders, 

Margriet Ketel, 

Ysbrant Elders, 

Jan de Noorman (the elder) 

Marritje Noorman (now 
Carbith), 

Jan (Andries) Douw, 

Catryn Douw, 

Arien Appel, 

Wouter de Rademmaecker, 

Grietje Wouters (his wife), 

Gerrit Reyers, 

Annetje Reyers, 

Marretje Van Schayck, 

Geertje Brickere, 

Marretje Zacharias, 

Robbert Sickels, 

Cornells Van der Hoeven, 

Metje Van der Hoeven, 

Merselis Jans, 

Annetje Marselis (his wife), 

Pieter Bogardus, 

Wyntje Bogardus (da. of 
Cornells Bosch), 

Marten Gerrits (Van Ber- 
gen )» 

Jannetje Martens (his wife, 

Nieltje Myndert, 2d wife) 



Tenuis Cornells (Van Vech- 
ten), 

Hester Teunissen (his wife) 

Geertje Van der Hoeven, 

Jurian C oiler, 

Lysbeth Coller, 

Andries de Sweed (i. e.. An- 
dries Alberts Bratt), 

Neeltje Andries (da. of Teu- 
nis Sway), 

Tenuis Slingerlandt, 

Celia Slingerlant, 

Jan Hendricks (Van den 
Bergh), 

]\Iaria Jans, 

Jan Van der Hoeven, 

Jannetje Ver Wey, 

Sara Ketel, 

Sela Ketel (now Rachel Van 
der Heyden), 

Antje Cross, 

Paulyn Jans, 

Wyntje Paulyns (his wife), 

Ryck Michiels, 

Jannetje Paulyns, 

Anna Pieter se (Van Slyck), 

Hendrick Maes (Van Beu- 
ren), 

Lysbeth Hendricks (his 
wife), 

Gerrit Gysberts (Van den 
Berg), 

Teuntje Gerrits (his wife), 

Frerick de Dreut, 

Jannetje Vries (now Sals- 
berry), 

Hendrick Marselis, 



72 

Barent Pieters (Coeyman), Mayken Jacobus, 
Jacob Salomons (Goewey), Abraham Van Breemen, 
Lyutje Salomons (his wife), Marretje Van Bremen, 
Geertruyt Binckhout, Johannes Jans (Witbeck), 

Mattys Hooghteeling, Lysbet Jans (Witbeck, da. 

Maria Hooghteeling, of Leendert Conyn), 

Jan Jacobs Van Oostrant, Claes Van Petten, 
Agnient Van Oostrant, Isje Van Petten, 

Phlip Leenderts (Conyn), Cornells Tennis Van Vech- 
Wyntje Phlij)s (his wife, and ten), 

da. of Dirks), Anuetje Cornells (his wife), 

Gerrit Lamberts (Van Val- Marten Cornells (Van Beu- 

kenburgh), ren), 

Marie Jochems, Marretje Martens (his wife) 

Dirck Tennis (Van der Cornelia Martens (now Van 

Vechten), Deusen), 

JannetjeDircks (rather Van Angeltjie Andries (wife of 

der Vechten), Andries Jans Witbeck ?), 

Gerrit Tennis (Van der Geertje Gysberts, 

Vechten), Hendrick Ver Wey, 

Grietje Gerrits (Van der Tennis de Metselaar, 

Vechten), Egbertje Tennis (his wife), 

Magdeleen Quakelbosch, Wilmje Tennis (now Bratt) 
Andries Jans (Witbeck), Symen Schouten, 
Jan Bronck, Cypjen Schouten, 

Commertje Bronck (da. of Andries Hans, 

Lendert Conyn), Gerretje Andries (his wife^ 

Melchert Abrams(Van Deu- and da. of Tennis Tennis- 
sen), se de Metselaar), 
Engeltje Abrams (his wife), Isje Hans, 
Hendrick Abels (Ridden- Jacob Van Oostrant, 

haas), Mees Hogenboom, 
Sephia Abels (now Nak), Catryn Hogenboom, 
Johannes (Jans) Oothout, Ariaantje Hogenboom, 
Hendrick (Jans) Oothout, Antoni Van Schayck, 
Jacobus Jans, Marietje Van Schayck (da. 
Jannetje Jacobs (his wile), of Van der Poel), 



73 



Roeloff Gerrits, 

Geertruyt Roelofs( his wife) 

Jan Grutters, 

Hermen Lievens, 

Marretje Hermens (Liever- 

sen), 
Jan Van Esch, 
Aaltje Van Esch, 
Barent Bratt, 
Susanna Bratt, 
Geurt Hendricks, 
Marretje Geurten (his wife) 
Andries Carstels, 
Harmen Jans Knickelback- 

er, 
Lysbet Harmens (his wife, 

and da. of Bogert), 

Wessel Ten Broeck, 

Elsje TenBroeck(now Ciiy- 

ler), 
Lambert Van Valkenborgh, 
Alida Vinhagel (now Vis- 

scher), 
Gysje Vanderheyden 

(now Geesje Kip), 
Cornelia Van der Heyden, 
Jan Tysens Hoes (i. e. 

Goes ?), 
Styntje Hoes, 
Jochum Lamberts (Van Val- 

kenburgh), 
Eva Jochum (his wife, 

da. of Vrowman), 

Pieter Vosburgh, 
JannetjePieters(Vosbiirgh) 
Geertruyt Vosburgh, 
10 



Maria Jacobs (now Van 

Vechten), 
Jan Martens, 
Dirckje Jans (his wife), 
Aalbert (Jacobs) Gerdenierj 
Marretje Aalberts(his wife) 
Jannetje Lamberts (Van 

Volkenburgh), 
Tam Kreeve, 
Jannetje Kreeve, 
Aaltje Adams, 
Teuwis Cool, 

Marretje Teuwis (his wife), 
Ariaantje Hendriks, 
Teuwis Abraras, 
Helena Teuwis (his wife), 
Samson Bensing, 
Tryntje Samsons (his wife, 

a Mathus), 
Johannes Bensing, 
Mattys Hooghteeling, 
Nanning Harmens (Vis- 

scher), 
Cornlis Stephens (Muller), 
Hilletje Cornelis (a Looker- 
man his wife), 
Caasper Leenderts (Conyn) 
Colette Caspars ("VVinnen 

his wife), 
Mayken Martens, 
Isabella Dellius, 
Dorete Volkens (Douw ?), 
Catryntje Volkens (Pouw?) 
Maria Schuyler (now Van 

Dyck), 
Mayken Jacobs, 



74 



Anerigje Jans, 

Phlip Wendell, 

BastianHarmans(Visscher) 

Rebecca Everts (wife of 
Hanssen), 

Hester Bricker (now Slin- 
gerland), 

Aaltje Arents, 

Andries Jans, 

Barentje Jans, 

Jonas Volkens (Doinv), 

Chilian Winne, 

Thomas Winne, 

Barentje VolleAvever (sur- 
named Schaats), 

Jacob Tennis Van Schoon- 
derwooert, 

Margaret Van Dam, 

Hester Harmens (Visscher) 

Willemyntje Nack, 

Sara Cuyler (now Van 
Brugge), 

Maria Sanders (now Rose- 
boom), 

Gerritje Costers (now Rose- 
boom), 

Alida Everts (now Oothont) 

Paulus Martens Van Bent- 
huysen, 

Wouter Pieters Quakel- 
bosch, 

Pieter Hendrick De Haas, 

Pieter Tomes Mingaal, 

Helena Byvang, 

Rebecca Claes (Groesbeck ? 
now Van Schaak), 



Catelyntje Ten Brouck, 
Martina Bicker (now Hoo- 

Susanna Wendel, 

Benony Van Corlar, 

Jan Ratlife, 

Antje Van Esch (now Rid- 

der), 
Martina Tennis, 
Cornelia Ten Broeck, 
Susanna Barents, 
Sara Sanders (now Greeven- 

rood), 
Marie Katelyne (now Bratt) 
Dyrckje Lu^^'ckens, 
Antje Becker, 
Abraham Staats, Jr., 
Elbert Gerrits, 
Jan Huyberts, 
Johannes Bleycker, Jr., 
Antoni Bries, 
Gerrit Lansing, Jr., 
Herbert Jacobs (Van Deu- 

sen), 
Hendrick Rosenboom, Jr., 
Jan Abeel, 
jSIaria Parcker, 
Catryn Villeroy, 
Sarah Hardenberch, 
Annetje Lives, 
Abraham Cuyler, 
Dirck Barents Bratt, 
Solomon Frederick Booch, 
Elizabeth Van Gelder, 
Symon Van Esch, 
Catharine Van Schayck, 



ll 



Deborah Van Dam (wife Cornelia Tys (Goes ?), 

of Hendrick Hansse), Geertruy Jans Witbeck 

Margriet Jurries, (now wife of Barent Ger- 

Zytje Marselis (wife of Jo- ritsen), 

seph Jansse), Marretje Hendericks (now 
Est de Ridder, Schermerhorn), 
Cornelis Martens, Ariaantje Gerrits, 
Jacob Vosbergh, Lyntje Winne (now Wit- 
Isaac Yosberch, beek), 
Abraham Jans (Van Al- Lysbeth Rosenboom (now 

styne ?), Van Deusen), 

Lambert Jans (Van Al- Johanna Bratt (now Kete- 

styne ?), Inyn), 

Isaac Jans (Van Alstyne ?), Henderikje Van Schoonho- 

Dorotche Vosburgh, ven (now Poppi), 

Teuntje Jans (Van Alstyne? Ariaantje Van Schoonho- 

now Winnen), ven, 

Manetje Vosburgh, Frans Pieters Clauw, 

Anna Vosburgh, Elsje Fransen Clauw, 

Geertruy Sickles, Adam Dingman, 

Est Bancker, Geertje Martens, 

Elizabeth Bancker(anAbeel Geertruy Ten Broeck (now 

his wife), Schuyler), 

David Christia?ns, Anna de Peyster, 

Abraham laaacks, Annetje Gerrits, 

Anna Sickels, Eytje Pieters, 

Cornelia Van Male, Caatje Bleycker (now Cuy- 

Johannes Schuyler, ler), 

Margriet Schuyler, Eva Vinhagel (now Beek- 

Cornelia Vroman, man), 

Lysbeth Lansing (now Bratt Willem Jacobs (Van Deu- 

Judick Marselis (wife of sen), 

Lucas Lucasy), James Willet, 

Andries Hans Huyck, Maria Wendell, 

Catryn Andries (a VanVal- Abraham Kip, 

kenburgh his wife), Henderick Greefradt, 



76 



Johannes Pruyn, 

Jan Jans Post, 

Johannes Bratt, 

Hiiybert Gerrits, 

Rut Melcherts, 

Cornells Gerrits, 

Anna Sanders, 

Maria Van Renssalaer (now 

Schuyler), 
Jacomyntje Vile, 
Mayken Oothout (wife of 

Thomas Harmensen, Jr.?) 
Coatje Melcherts (Van der 

Poel ? now Witbeck), 
Jannetje Cobns, 
Rachel Melcherts (Van der 

Poel ?), 
Cornelia Coljer, 
Catarine Van Allen (now 

Van der Poel), 
Nelletje Quakelbosch, 
Francyntje Hendericks, 
Geertruy Hogenboom, 
Neeltje Slingerlandt, 
Engletje Lives, 
Geertruy Jans, 
Margriet Brickers, 
Susanna Lansing, 
Her men Itutgers, 
Cornelia Van Vreedenburch 

(now Van Yselsteyn), 
Hester Davids, 
Weyntje Fransen (Clauw?), 
Judick (Jans) Van Housen, 
Henderick Van Renssalaer, 



Joseph Jans, 
Jan Fondaas, 
Marretje Van Petten (now 

Van Allen), 
Catelyntje Van Petten (now 

Van Vechten), 
Margaret Hans (now Vis- 

scher), 
Henderick Van Dyck, 
Abraham Schuyler, 
Cornelia Van Olinda, 
Arieentje Vanderheyden. 
On July 11th, 1690, the fol- 
lowing Indians : 
Paulus, 
Laurens, 
Maria. 
On October 22d, 1691, the 
following Indians : 
David, 
Rebecca, 
Lydia. 
At the same lime the fol- 
lowing persons : 
Sarah Harmens (Visscher), 
Marretje Gerrits, 
Jannetje Blyker, 
Marretje Vanhagel, 
Anna Coster. 

On March 24th, 1692, the 
following Indians: 
Isak, 
Rachel, 
Rebecca, 
Eunice. 



77 

At the same time the fol- Gerrit Rosenboom, 
lowing persons : Pieter Verbrugge, 

Meindert Schuyler, Stephanus Groesbeeck. 

Jacobus Van Dyck, December 23d, 1692. 

Johannes Rykman, Henderik (Indian). 

Willem Van Allen, April 13th, 1693. 

Tammus Noxen, Antoni Coster, 

Luthers Jans (Witbeck), Johannes Gerrits (Yan 
Andries Douw, Vechten), 

Pieter Lucas Koeyman, Marten Winnen, 

Debora Staats (now Rose- Melchert Vanderpoel, 

boom), Elizabeth Kreigir, 

Elsje Rutgers (now Schuy- Tryntje Wendell (now Mil- 
ler), lington), 
Maria Banker, Neeltje Schermerhorn (now 
Anna Gansevoort, Ten Eyck), 
Christina Ten Broek, Elizabeth Ten Broek (now 
Antje Yan der Heyden, Coster), 
Marietje Pruyn (wife of El- Catrine Nack, 

bert Gerretsen, Geertruy Yan Benthuysen 

Rachel Cuyler (now Schuy- (now Becker), 

ler), Maria Yan der Poel (of Neo- 

Tryntje Rykman (now borum), 

Breese), Cornelis (Indian), 

Marritje Lpokerman (now Claas Jans. 

Fonda), October 25th, 1693. 

Marritje Bogardus (now Johannes Harmeus (Yis- 

Yan Yechten), scher), 

Grietje Takel, Moeset (Indian), 

Barbar Jans (wife of Gerrit Marta do. 

Rikse), Sara do. 

Elsje Wendell (now Staats), Jose do. 

Jannetje Oothout (Yan April 6th, 1694. 

Schaack). Pieter Hogenboom, 

September 17th, 1692. Johannes Kip, 
Canastasji (Indian), Jacobus Yan Schoonhoven, 



78 



Geertruy Van Schoonhoven 
Jecomintye Van Schoonho 

ven (now Van Deusen), 
Geertje Willems, 
Anna Bogardus, 
Lydia Ten Broek, 
Lysbeth Slingerlandt, 
Christine Pruyn, 
Catelyntje Schuyler (now 

Abeel), 
Susanna "Wendell, 
Claartje Brott, 
Elsje Hans, 
Jannetje Swart (now Van 

der Zee), 
Alida Fondaas (now Van 

Vechten), 
HesterFondas(wifeof John 

Dircksen), 
Lysbeth Jans, 
Geertje Quakelbosch (now 

Groesbeck). 

July 6th, 1694. 
Gideon (Indian), 
Alida do. 

December 26th, 1694. 
Neeltje Van Bergen (now 

Douw), 
Dirk Van der Heyden, 
David Schuyler, 
Margriet (Indian), 
Eva do. 

Maria do. 

Elsje do. 



, January 20th, 1695, of Kin- 
derhook. 
Arieentje Barents (wife of 
Pieter Martens), 

Robbert Teuwis (Van Deu- 
sen), 

Johannes Van Allen. 
March 21st, 1695. 

Thomas Harmons (Hun ?), 

Hendrick Hans, 

Tam Williams, 

Agneetje Gansevoort (his 
wife), 

Frans Winne, 

Elsje Gansevoort (Winnen) . 

Claas Si vers, 

Albert Rykman, 

Gerrit Ryks, 

Rachel Winne (of Schenec- 
tady), 

Hendrik Pruyne, 

Tryntje Cornelis (wife of 
Pieter Waldron), 

Sara Foreest, 

Claartje Quakelbosch (wife 
of Dirk Takelsen), 

Annetje Hogenboom, 

Rachel Slingerlandt, 

Maria Wendell, 

Dewertje Van Petten, 

Anna Van Petten (wife of 
Claas Siversend), 

Daniel Bratt, 

Pieter (Indian), 

Joseph do. 



Tierk 



do. 



79 



Agniet (Indian), 
Lea do. 

Susanna do. 

December 25th, 1695. 
Oornelis Bogardus, 
Brant (Indian), 
Jacob do. 

January 22d, 1696. 
Jan Teuwis (Van Deusen), 
Marrietje (Van Deusen), 
Laurens Claas (Van Schaick, 
Catelyntje Teuwis, 
Jannetje Jochums (wife of 

Isaac Jans). 

April 9th, 1696. 
Myndert Rosenboom, 
Abram Lansing, 
Catrine Staat (now Schayk) 
Saartje Brats (wife of Rey- 

nier Mynderts). 
Anna Glen (now Wendell), 
Maria Salisbury, 
Mayken Van Esch (now 

Wendell), 
Margreetje Pells, 
Saartje Van Deusen, 

June 26th, 1696. 
Antonio (Indian), 
Dorcas do. 

Barent do. 

Catrine do. 

September 18th, 1696, 
Johannes (Indian), 
Arent do. 

April 1st, 1697. 
Mayken Van Esch (nowOu- 

derkerck), 



Annetje Schaats, 
Margariet Ryks, 
Elizbeth Lansing (now 

Groesbeck), 
Susanna Wendell (now 

Wyngaard), 
Margriet Schuyler (now Li- 
vingston), 
Catrena Van Schayk (now 

Quakenbosch). 

December 27th, 1697. 
Sara Van Allen. 

January 13th, 1698. 
Guysbert Scharp, 
Hendrik Jans (Witbeck), 
Sara Jans (Witbeck), 
Marritje Jans (Witbeck). 

April 21st, 1698. 
Hagar (Indian), 
Jacomine do. 
Luycas Lucas (Van Hoog- 

kerke), 
Solomon Cornels Van Vech- 

ten), 
Hasuera Marselis, 
Mars Ryks, 
Harman Rykman, 
Robbert Levingston, Jr., 
Margriet Levingston, 
Margriet Van Trigt, 
Margriet Blyker, 
Margriet Harmens, 
Catelina Wendell (now 

Schuyler), 
Neeltje Gerrits, 
Dirkje Winne, 
Sara Marselis, 



so 



Marritje Eoelofs (Kidni), 

Helena Pruyn, 

Lammertje Lokerman (Oot- 
hout). 
January 8th, 1699, from 
Kinderhook. 

Est Yan Allen, 

Stephanas Van Allen, 

Manuel Van Schaack, 

Lysbeth Arnoutse Van Eli. 
April 6th, 1699. 

Re3^er Gerrits, 

Jacobus Schuyler, 

Andries Nack, 

Hendrick Douw, 

Jan Jans Van Aarnen, 

Wouter Quakelbosch (mar- 
ried Cornelia, da. of Law- 
rence Bogert), 

Matthyse Nak, 

Maria Verplank, 

Geertje Gerrits (Van den 
Bergh), 

Lysbeth Gansevoort, 

Margriet Rykman, 



Lj'sbeth Viele (from Neobo- 

rum), 
Helena Fonda, 
Antje Quakelbosch, 
Josina Maas (Van Buren ?), 
Hillitje Gansevoort, 
Maria Quakelbosch, 
Neeltje Marinus, 
Rachel Douw, 
Cornelia Quakelbosch, 
Anna Pruyn, 
Canastasji (Indian). 

September Sth, 1699. 
Jonathan Braadhorst. 

January 5th, 1700. 
Susanna Wendells. 

May Sth, 1700. 
Claes Fonda, 
Daniel Winnen, 
Isack Ouderkerck, 
Lysbet Wendell, 
Mar}' Ingolsbie, 
Rachel Bogardus, 
Susanna Trujex. 



81 



NOTE F. 
Petitions for the Incorporation of the Dutch Church. 

To the HonbP Peter Schuyler Esqr President and the 
Rest of his Majesties Council of the province of New 
York and the Territories depending thereon in Ame- 
rica. 

The Humble Petition of Petrus van Driesen Minister 
of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Congregation in the 
•City of Albany Joannis Cuyler Joannis Rooseboom 
Hendrick van Renslaer Wiilem Jacobse van Deusen 
present Elders for the same and Rutgert Bleecker Yol- 
kert van Veghten Myndert Roseboom and Dirk Ten 
Broek present Deacons of the said Church. Most Hum- 
bly Sheweth. 

That the said Minister Elders and Deacons and other 
the members in Communion of the said Reformed Pro- 
testant Dutch Church have at their own charge built and 
erected a Church within the city of Albany and dedi- 
cated the same to the service of God, and have allso 
purchased Certain two Tenements and Letts of ground 
for a Poor or, alms house and for a minister's dwelling 
house; and sundry other small Tracts of Land within the 
said City the Rents and incomes whereof are by them 
(as they were allso by their Predecessors since they were 
Possessed of them) employed for the relief of the Poor 
and other Persons and charitable uses. And the Peti- 
tionrs further say that they and their predecessors have 
for many yeares before this Province was under the 
Government of the Crown of great Brittain and ever 
sinse Peaceably and quietly had and enjoyed the full and 
free Exercise of the Protestant Religion in the Dutch 
Language according to the Cannons Rules Institucons 
and Church Government Established by the Nationall 
11 



82 

Synod held and assembled in the City of Dort in Hol- 
land in the year 1618 and 1619. 

And the Petitionrs humbly conceive and are advised 
that they and their Successors would be the better ena- 
bled to employ the Rents and incomes of the Lands and 
Tenement aforesaid for Pious and Charitable uses if they 
were incorporated as some other of the Protestant re- 
formed Dutch Churches in this Province are. 

They therefore most Humbly Pray yor Honors that 
the Peticonrs and their Successors may be Incorporated 
by Letters Patent under the great seal of this Province 
with such or the like Priviledges and Liberties as are 
granted to the Ministers Polders and Deacons of the Re- 
formed Protestant Dutch Church in the City of New 
York and that the said Church and the aforesaid Tene- 
ments and Lotts of ground and other the Tracts and 
Parcells of Land aforesaid may be Confirmed unto them 
and their Successors for ever under such moderat Quit 
rent as unto yor Honors shall seem meet. 

And yor Petitionrs as in Duty bound shall ever Pray 
&c — Petrus Van Driesen 

V D M 

Nomine Syuodij. 

New York 3*^ day of August 1720. 

To the Honble Peter Schuyler Esqr President and the 
Rest of his Majesties Councill of the Pi'ovince of 
New York and the Territories depending thereon in 
America. 

The Humble Petition of Petrus van Driesen Minister 
of the Dutch Protestant Congregacon in the City of 
Albany Joannis Cuyler Joannis Roseboom Hendrik van 
Renselaer and Willem Jacobse van Driesen the present 
Elders, Rutgert Bleeker Volckert van Vegten Myndert 
Roseboom and Dirk ten Broeck the present Deacons of 
the same— Most Humbly Sheweth 



83 

That yor Petitionrs did lately most humbly pray yor 
Honors to grant unto them and their Successors Letters 
Pattent under the Great Seal of this Province for incor- 
porating them with such and the like Priviledges and 
Liberties as heretofore granted to the Reformed protest- 
ant Dutch Church in the City of New York together 
with a Confirmation of all such Lands and Tenements as 
they now hold to and for the use of the said Congrega- 
con — 

But so it is may it please yor Honors that one Mr 
Hendrik Hansen of the City of Albany has entered a 
Caveat against the passing of the said Patent under pre- 
tence that the Dutch Church erected in the City of 
Albany is built on some part of the ground belonging 
to the said Mr Hansen, and altho yor Petitionrs can 
easily make appear that the said pretence is groundless 
and only make up of by the said Hansen to delay yor 
Petitionrs in the Presenting and obtaining of the said 
Patent. 

They therefore most Humbly Pray that for the Re- 
moving of all difficultyes and objections that may be 
raised against the passing of the said Patent a Clause 
may be inserted in the Same to save the Right and Title 
of all manner of persons to the Lands and Tenements or 
any part thereof which the Petitionrs by their former 
petition did Humbly pray to be Confirmed unto them 
and their Successors. 

And yor Petitionrs as in duty bound shall ever Pray 
&c. Petrus Van Driesen 

V D M 
Nomine Sijnodeii. 

New York 6th Aug 1720 



84 



Act of Incokporation. 

George by the grace of God King of Great Britain, 
France and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c., to all to 
whom these presents shall come or may concern, send- 
etli greeting: Whereas our loving subjects the Rev. 
Petrus Van Driessen, Johannes Cuyler, Johannes Eoose- 
boom, Henrych Van Rensselaer, William Jacobse Van 
Deusen, Rutgert Bleecker, Volkert Van Veghten, Myn- 
dert Rooseboom and Dirck Tienbroock, the present 
ministers, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protest- 
ant Dutch Church in the city of Albany, in our pro- 
vince of New York, by their humble petition presented 
to our trusty and well beloved Colonel Peter Schuy- 
ler, president of our council for our province of New 
York, in council have set forth that the inhabitants 
of Albany, descended of Dutch ancestors, have from 
the first settlement of this province by Christians, 
hitherto held, used and enjoyed the free and undis- 
turbed exercise of their religion and worship in the 
Dutch language, after the manner of the established 
Reformed Protestant religion in Holland, according 
to the common rules, institutions and church go- 
vernment of the national synod of Dort, in Holland, 
in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand six hun- 
dred and eighteen, and one thousand six hundred and 
nineteen. And that the said minister, elders and dea- 
cons, and their ancestors and predecessors, at their own 
charge and expense, erected, built and hitherto main- 
tained a church within the city of Albany aforesaid, and 
have dedicated the same to the service and worship of 
Almighty God, situate, lying and being on the high street 
commonly called Yonkers street, nigh the bridge in the 
city of Albany, containing in length on the south side 
thereof seven rod, three foot four inches, on the north 
side seven rod three foot one inch, Ryland measure, and 



85 

in breadth on the east and west ends, sixty-one foot and 
five inches, wood measure. And are now not only quietly 
and peaceably seized and possessed of their said church, 
but are likewise seized of sundry other demesnes to 
and for their sole and only proper use and behoof of 
their said church and congregation, that is to say, one 
certain messuage or tenement and lot of ground in the 
aforesaid city of Albany commonly called the Dutch 
minister's house, situate, lying and being in the Brew- 
er's street, on the east side thereof, in the third ward of 
tile said city, being in front from the southward to 
the northward five rod ten inches, and behind toward 
Pludson's river, six rod fifteen inches, Ryland measure, 
and in length from the said street to the city stockadoes, 
bounded on the south side by Jan Solomans, and on the 
north side by that of the late Hans Hendrycks and the 
widow of David Schuyler. Also one other certain mes- 
suage or tenement and lot of ground, situate, lying and 
being in the city aforesaid commonly called poor house 
or alms house, in the first ward of the said city, bound- 
ed on the south by the high street that leads to the 
burying place to the north of Rutten kill, and to the 
east of Harman Rutgers, and to the west by the lot of 
Garryt Bancker, containing in breadth towards the 
street that leads to the Lutheran church by the said 
Rutten kill, six rod one foot and the like breadth in the 
rear, and in length on the east side, eight rod and two 
inches, all Ryland measure. Also that certain parcel 
of land commonly called and known by the name of 
the pasture, situate, lying and being to the southward 
of the city of Albany, near the jjlace where the old i'ort 
stood, extending along Hudson's river, till it comes 
over against the most northerl}' point of the island com- 
monly called Marten Gerrytsen's island, having to the 
east Hudson's river, to the south the manor of Rensse- 
laerswyck, to the west the highway that leads to the city 



86 

aforesaid, the pastures now or late in the tenure and oc- 
cupation of Martin Gerry tsen, and the pasture now or late 
in the tenure and occupation of Casper Jacobs, to the north 
the several pastures late in the tenure and occupation of 
Robert Saunders, Myndert Harmans and Evert Wendell, 
and the several gardens late in the occupation of Dirck 
Wessells, Killian Van Rensselaer and Abraham Staats, 
together with the old highway from Beaver kill to the 
end of Schermerhorn's pasture, adjoining to the same on 
the west side thereof. Also that certain parcel of pasture 
land situate, lying, and being to the southward of the 
said city, and to the westward of the before mentioned 
pasture, near and about the limits of the said city on 
the manor of Rensselaerswyck, containing in breadth 
along the wagon way, six and twenty rod, and in length 
towards the woods eight and twenty rod, and in breadth 
towards the woods twenty-five rod. And also al! that cer- 
tain garden lot of ground, situate, lying and being in the 
great pasture, containing in the breadth six rod and five 
foot, and in length eight rod and two foot, and stretch- 
ing backwards with another small lot of three rod and 
two foot in length, and in breadth one rod and two foot 
Ryland measure; praying that they may by charter or 
patent under the great seal of the province of New 
York, be incorporated and made one body politic in fact 
and name, and that they and their successors forever 
hereafter, may not only be enabled to use, exercise and 
enjoy their aforesaid privileges, and the free use and 
exercise of their said religion and worship in manner 
aforesaid, by the name and style of the ministers, elders 
and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church, 
in the city of Albany, with such other liberties and 
privileges as have been formerly granted to other Re- 
formed Protestant Dutch churches within the province 
of New York, with variations, additions and commis- 
sions, as long usage and experience has taught them to 



87 

be most agreeable to their well being and circumstances, 
but also the grant and confirmation of all those their 
said inheritances and demesnes, to hold to them, the said 
minister, elders and deacons of the Reformed Protest- 
ant Dutch Church in the city of Albany and to their 
successors and assigns for ever. We being willing to 
encourage and promote the said pious intentions and 
the free use and exercise of their said reformed pro- 
testant religion, to the same congregation and their 
successors for ever, in the said city of Albany, know 
ye, that of our especial grace, certain knowledge, and 
meer motion, we have given, granted, ratified, and 
confirmed and do by these presents for us, our heirs 
and successors for ever, give, grant, ratify, and confirm 
unto all the inhabitants of Albany, so as aforesaid 
descended of Dutch ancestors, and professing the said 
reformed protestant religion, and to their successors 
for ever, the free use and exercise of their worship, 
doctrine, discipline and church government, according 
to the canons, rules, institutions and directions of the 
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Holland, insti- 
tuted and approved by the National Synod of Dort, and 
that no person nor persons whatsoever in communion of 
the said Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Albany 
aforesaid, or at any time or times hereafter, shall be 
molested, disquieted, or disturbed in the free use and ex- 
ercise of their said religion and worship, they behaving 
themselves peaceably, and not abusing this liberty to 
licentiousness, profaneness, and the civil injury or out- 
ward disturbance of the National Church of England, 
as by law established, or other reformed protestant 
churches in the aforesaid city of Albany. And to the 
end the same liberties and privileges be hereafter for 
ever supported, maintained, and continued to them and 
their successors for ever, we of our especial grace, 
certain knowledge and meer motion, do likewise will 



88 

and grant for lis, our heirs and successors for ever, 
unto the same Petrus Van Driessen, the present minis- 
ter of the same congregation at Albany, Johannes 
Roseboom, Henryck Van Rensselaer, and William 
Jacobse Van Deusen, the present elders of the same 
church, and unto Rutgert Bleecker, Volkert Van 
A-^eghten, Myndert Roseboom, and Dirk Tienbroock, the 
present deacons of the same church, and the inhabit- 
ants of Albany communicants of the said church, that 
they be as they are hereby created and made one body 
corporate and politick in fact and name, by the name 
of the minister, elders find deacons of the Reformed 
Protestant Dutch Church in the city of Albany, and 
that they and their successors for ever, shall and may 
by that name have perpetual succession, and be able and 
capable in the law to sue and be sued, plead and be im- 
pleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be 
defended, in all and singular suit, quarrels, controver- 
sies, diflerences, strifes, matters and things whatsoever, 
and in all courts whatsoever, either in law or equity, of 
Avhat kind soever, as also by the same name, to have, 
hold, take, receive, be seized of, possess and enjoy to 
them and their successors for ever their said church, 
parsonage or minister's dwelling-house, alms-house, 
and other their demesnes or inheritances, by fee simple, 
before mentioned, and such other demesnes or inherit- 
ances to purchase and acquire to them and their succes- 
sors and assigns forever, and by the same name, the same 
lands, hereditaments and appurtenances, or any part of 
them (excepting only the same church); to alienate, 
bargain, sell, grant, demise, sell and to farm let to any 
other person, or persons, body corporate and politic, 
whatsoever at their will and pleasure, in fee simple for 
life, or lives, or for term of years, as to them shall seem 
most convenient and profitable, as any other person or 
persons, body corporate or politic, may or can do, not 



89 

exceeding the yearly value of three hundred pounds 
over and alove what they now stand seized and pos- 
sessed, or for the common use and benefit of the same 
Dutch Church and of all the members of the same con- 
gregation. And we do further will and grant that the 
minister, elders and deacons of the same church, for 
the time being, for ever hereafter, be the consistory of 
the same church, and shall and may have, keep and use 
a common seal to serve for all grants, matters and 
things whatsoever belonging to the same corporation, 
with such device or contrivance thereon as they or their 
successors for ever shall think fit to appoint, with full 
power to break, new make and alter the same at their 
will and discretion; and the same consistory shall have 
and enjoy the like powers and privileges as a Dutch con- 
sistory in the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Hol- 
land do, or may or ought to use and enjoy. And we do 
will and grant that the same Petrus Van Driessen be the 
first minister of the said church at the time of this our 
grant, and the same Johannes Cuyler, Johannes Eose- 
boom, Henryck Van Rensselaer and William Jacobse 
Van Deusen, be the first elders of the said church at 
the time of this our grant; and that the same Rutgert 
Bleecker, Volkert Van Veghten, Myndert Roseboom, 
and Dirk Tienbroock, be the first deacons of the said 
church at the time of this our grant, to all intents and 
purposes; and that the said ministers, together with the 
said four elders and four deacons, or the minister, el- 
ders and deacons for the time being, and the major num- 
bers of them whereof the minister for the time being 
always to be one — be the consistory of the said church, 
and have and shall have full power and authority, 
at all time and times for ever hereafter, to act in all 
their church affairs and business, by majority of voices, 
in as full and ample manner as if the minister and 
all the said four elders and four deacons were person- 
12 



90 

ally present and did actually and severally give their 
votes. But in case of the death, absence or re- 
moval of their said minister, then, and in any of 
these cases, the elders and deacons of the same church, 
for the time being, or the major number of them, 
whereof the first elder in nomination we will always 
to be one, and shall preside, shall have, use and 
exercise all the power and authorities of a consistory 
to all intents and purposes, and shall manage and order 
the church affairs in as full and ample manner as if their 
said minister were alive, present and consenting there- 
unto, any thing in these presents to the contrary there- 
of in any wise notwithstanding. And we will and 
grant that the same elders and deacons continue in 
their respective offices until the next anniversary 
election. And the said elders and their successors, for 
ever hereafter, have and shall have the full power and 
authority of receiving and p;-iying the moneys given 
for the maintenance of the minister or ministry of the 
same church, whether the same arise by legacy, donation 
or voluntary contributions or collection from the inhabit, 
ants or members of the same congregation, and are to 
keep exact and true accounts to the consistory, when 
thereunto by them required. And that the said deacons 
and their successors for ever hereafter, have and shall 
have the sole power and authority of receiving and 
paying all the moneys collected and offered at the ad- 
ministration of the Holy Sacrament of our Lord's Sup- 
per, and in church in the times of divine service of 
preaching, for the maintaiuance of the poor, and are to 
keep and render exact and true accounts thereof to the 
consistory aforesaid, when thereunto by them required, 
which election of the same elders and deacons of the same 
church is to be at Albany on every second Saturday of 
December, annually, forever, by majority of voices, of 
the consistory, in the manner following : That is to say. 



91 

on each second Saturday of December, annually for ever 
at Albany, shall be chosen two new elders and two new 
deacons, who, together with the two elders and two 
deacons last in nomination in this our charter, shall 
serve for the year ensuing in their respective offices, 
and for ever thereafter, the two new ones shall be 
chosen and added to the younger two elders and dea- 
cons of the preceding year, so always as to preserve 
the number of four elders and four deacons of the 
said church. And moreover we do will and grant 
unto the said minister, elders and deacons of the 
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the city of 
Albany, and to their successors for ever, that on 
the second Saturday of December next, and on every 
second Saturday of December annually forever here- 
after at Albany, shall be elected and chosen four dis- 
creet persons by the majority of voices of the consistory 
aforesaid, to be kirkmasters of the said church, whose 
office and charge is and shall be to build and re- 
pair the same church and cemetery, parsonage, alms- 
house, and all other the hereditaments and appurten- 
ances to the said church belonging, and to have the or- 
dering and direction of the pews and seats in the said 
church, and the breaking of the ground in the cemetery 
for burying of the dead, and shall have and receive all 
the rents and revenues of the said church, coming there- 
from or from any other of the said church's inheritances; 
also the payments of all sum and sums of money laid 
out and expended, or to be laid out and expended, in 
such necessary buildings and reparations of all which 
the said kirkmasters are likewise to keep and surrender 
exact and true accounts to the said consistory aforesaid, 
two of which four kirkmasters last nominated, at the 
next election shall continue in the same office for two 
years and two new ones yearly for ever hereafter, to be 
fleeted and chosen to serve with the two predecessors in 



92 

like manner as with the elders and deacons aforesaid 
and not otherwise. And it isoiir willand desire that the 
two elders, two deacons and two kirkmasters, who shall 
"be superseded by a new annual election of two others 
to succeed in their respective places, shall account and 
deliver up their several respective charges and moneys 
to their successors }'espectively, if any thereof be in 
their hands and possession, respectively in public man- 
ner. And we do likewise will and grant that the said 
kirkmasters shall be under the direction of the said con- 
sistory for the time being. And in case there shall not 
be enough in the hands either of the elders, deacons or 
kirkmasters, for the performing and finishing of any of 
their respective charges and trust of their particular 
respective funds before mentioned, which they be here- 
by respectively empowered to receive and manage, that 
then it shall and may be lawful to and for the consis- 
tory aforesaid, to order and direct the lending of what 
sum shall be necessary out of any of the aforesaid funds 
towards deficiency of any other of the said funds, so 
that there be no failure of any of the same three several 
charges or trusts upon any unforeseen contingency 
or emergency. And we do likewise will and grant 
that in all elections of officers or other acts or orders 
of the consistory the minister or president of the con- 
sistory shall have but one vote. And if it shall happen 
there be an equal division of the voices or votes, so 
that the matter or thing in dispute can not receive the 
determination of a majority of voices, that then it shall 
and may be lawful to determine the same by lot, leav- 
ing it to the sole wisdom of God to determine the same 
as he shall think fit. And we do likewise will and 
grant that it shall be in the power of the minister of 
the said church, for the time being, by himself or in 
case of his death, absence or removal, in the president 
or first elder who shall preside for the time being, or in 



9S 

the power of the major number of the whole consistory 
for the time being, to call a meeting of the consistory 
for the good and service of the said church, and the 
affairs of the said corporation, whensoever they shall 
see meet within the said city of Albany; and in case it 
shall please God that any of the said elders, deacons and 
kirkmasters, for the time being, shall happen to die, re- 
move, or otherwise be disabled from serving and offi- 
ciating in their respective offices, within the year for 
which they are so chosen or appointed to serve ; we do 
will and grant that it shall and may be lawful to the 
consistory, for the time being, to assemble and meet to- 
gether at Albany, at any other time of the year than the 
time of anniversary election, and so often as there 
shall be occasion to elect and choose other elders, dea- 
coQS and kirkmasters in their respective rooms and 
stead, to officiate for the remaining part of the year un- 
til the next anniversary election ; which person or per- 
sons so chosen as aforesaid into any of the aforesaid 
offices of elders, deacons or kirkmasters, shall have 
like power and authority to act in their respective 
offices as if they had been elected and confirmed at the 
aforesaid time of the anniversary election aforesaid, or as 
if the same persons so dying, being absent or otherwise 
disabled, were alive, present and capable to do the same; 
and we do will and grant unto the said minister, elders 
and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church 
in the city of Albany, and to their successors for ever, 
the advowson and patronage of the said church ; (that 
is to say) that after the decease of the aforesaid Petrus 
Van Driessen, or next and all other avoidances thereof, 
that it shall and may be lawful to and for the elders 
and deacons of the aforesaid church or the consistory 
of the aforesaid church and their successors for ever, to 
present and call another minister to succeed in the cure 
of souls in the aforesaid church and congregation of 



94 

the Reformed Protestant Dutcli Churcli in the city of 
Albany, provided always such minister, so called or pre- 
sented by them to the said living, be always a person 
amenable to the laws of Great Britain and this Pro- 
vince, and pay due obedience and allegiance unto us 
and our royal heirs and successors, the kings and 
queens of Great Britain. And that it shall and may be 
lawful to and for the present minister or incumbent of 
the said church and his succesors, or any of them to 
have, take, receive and keep for his end and their own 
use and support, that maintenance that now is or shall 
be agreed upon between him or them and the said con- 
sistory from time to time, and at all times hereafter. 
And it shall and may be lawful to and for the said 
elders of the same church, and their successors for ever, 
to collect and receive the voluntary subscriptions of 
the inhabitants of Albany, belonging to the said congre- 
gation, for and towards the payment of their said minis- 
ter, or their minister for the time being, and to pay and 
cause to be paid unto the said minister and his succes- 
sor, the minister of the said church, for the time being, 
his yearly stipend or salary, according to agreement, 
by quarterly even payments thereof, or otherwise, as it 
shall be agreed upon by and between them, the said 
minister of the said church and the aforesaid consistory. 
And we do will and grant that the said deacons of the 
said church, and their successors for ever shall and may 
lawfully and peaceably, from time to time, and at all 
times hereafter, at the meeting of the said congregation 
for the public service and worship of Almighty God, to 
collect and receive the free and voluntary alms and ob- 
lations of the members of the said congregation, and 
the free and voluntary offerings made by the communi- 
cants at their receiving of the holy sacrament of the 
Lord's Supper for the uses aforesaid, and to dispose 
thereof for the pious and charitable uses aforesaid. 



95 

And we do will and grant that the kirkmasters afore- 
said, and their successors for ever, shall and may from 
time to time, and at all times hereafter, and so often as it 
shall be necessary, shall and may demise, grant, and to 
farm let, of the demesnes of the said church, demisable 
and grantable to and for the profit and advantage of 
the said church, and receive and collect the rents and 
revenues arising therefrom, or otherwise, and apply the 
same for and towards the buildings and reparations of 
the said church and parsonage, and other the heredita- 
ments belonging to the said minister, elders and deacons 
of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the city of 
Albany, and such other uses as are proper and necessary, 
provided always that the said elders, deacons and kirk- 
masters in their separate oflices, be always accountable 
to and under the direction of the consistory of the said 
church, for the time being and not otherwise. And we 
do further will and grant that it shall and may be in 
the power of the consistory of the said church, 
and their successors for ever, if they shall agree 
thereupon, and find themselves able and capable of 
mantaining him at any time or times hereafter, to nomi- 
nate and call one or more able and sufficient minister, 
lawfully ordained according to the constitution afore- 
said, in all things to assist and officiate in the ministry 
which doth belong to the sacred office and function of 
a minister of the gospel in the said church, provided 
always that there be no pre-eminency or superiority in 
that office, and not otherwise. And we do likewise will 
and grant to the said minister, elders, and deacons of 
the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the city of 
Albany, and their successors for ever, that it shall and 
may be lawfull to and for the consistory of the said 
church, to nominate and appoint a clerk or precentor, 
schoolmaster, sexton, bellringer, and such and so many 
other offices and servants of the same church, as they 



shall think convenicDt and necessary, and to call them, 
by the same or what other names they shall think fit. 
And we do will and grant that it shall and may be law- 
full to and for the consistory of the said church, and 
their successors from time to time, and at all times here- 
after, to make rules, orders, and ordinances for the 
better discipline and government of the said church, 
provided always that such rules, orders and ordinances 
sball not be binding, nor eflect any other of our reform- 
ed protestaut subjects within the same city, then the 
voluntary members of their said congregation, and be no 
ways repugnant to our laws of Great Britain and of 
this colony, but agreeable to the articles of faith and 
worship agreed upon and instituted by the National 
Synod at Dort, aforesaid. And further of our especial 
grace, certain knowledge and meer motion, we have 
given, granted, ratified, and confirmed unto the afore- 
said minister, elders, and deacons of the Reformed Pro- 
testant Dutch Church in the city of Albany, and to their 
successors and assigns for ever, all that their said church 
and ground whereon it standeth, their said parsonage 
or minister's dwelling housC; with its herediiaments and 
appurtenances thereunto belonging or any ways apper- 
taining, and all the alms house or poor house aforesaid, 
all that the pasture or pastures, and all other the pre- 
mises aforesaid, together with all and singular edifices, 
buildings, gardens, orchards, backsides, wells, ways, 
hollows, cellars, passages, privileges, liberties, profits, 
advantages, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatso- 
ever, to all and every of them belonging, or in any ways 
appertaining. And all that our estate, right, title, in- 
terest, property and demand of, into or out of the same 
or any part of any of them, and the revertions, remain- 
ders, and the yearly rents and profits of the same, saving 
only the right and title of any other person or persons, 
body corporate and politick whatsoever, to any of the 



97 

premises hereby granted, or meant, mentioned, and in- 
tended to be hereby granted, or to any of them, to have 
and to hold, all that their said church and ground, par- 
sonage or minister's dwelling house, alms house or poor 
house, pasture or pastures, and all and singular other 
the premises with their and every of their hereditaments 
and appurtenances unto the aforesaid minister, elders 
and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in 
the city of Albany, their successors and assigns for ever, 
to the sole and only proper use, benefit and behoof of 
the aforesaid minister, elders and deacons of the Re- 
formed Protestant Dutch Church, in the city of Albany, 
and their successors and assigns for ever (save only as 
before is saved and expressed), to be holden of us, our 
heirs and successors for ever, free and common soccage 
as of our manor of East Greenwich, in the county of 
Kent, within our realm of Great Britain, yielding, 
rendering and paying therefore, yearly and every year, 
for ever unto us, our heirs and successors for ever, at 
our custom house in New York, unto our and their re- 
ceiver general for the time being, on the feast day of 
the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mar}', commonly 
called Lady Da}^ the annual rent of one pepper corn, if 
the same be lawfully demanded in lieu and stead of all 
other rents, services, dues and duties and demands what- 
soever, for the same church parsonage, alms house, 
pastures, and all other the above granted premises, with 
the hereditaments and appurtenances. And we do 
hereby will and grant unto the aforesaid minister, elders 
and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church 
in the city of Albany, and to their successors for ever, 
that these our letters shall be made patent, and that 
they and the record of them remaining in our secre- 
tary's office of our province of New York, shall be good 
andeftectual in the law to all intenta and purposes what- 
soever, according to the true intent and meaning of 
13 



98 

them, and shall be construed, reputed, esteemed and 
adjudged in all cases most favorable for the benefit and 
behoof of the aforesaid minister, elders and deacons of 
the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in the cit}^ of 
Albany and of their successors forever, notwithstanding 
the not true and well reciting of the premises, or of the 
limits and bounds of any of them, or any part of them, 
any law or other restraint, uncertainty or imperfection 
whatsoever to the contrary thereof in any way notwith- 
standing. In testimony whereof we have caused the 
great seal of our province of New York to be affixed to 
these presents, arid the same to be entered of record in 
one of the books of patents in our said secretary's office 
remaining. Witness our said trusty and well beloved 
Colonel Peter Schuyler, president of our council at Fort 
George, the lOtli day of August, in the 7th year of our 
reign, anno domini 1720. 

Causes and History of the Separatiox. 

A brief sketch of the causes and history of the sepa- 
ration may be interesting to the reader. 

Up to 1737, the churches in this country were all 
connected with the ecclesiastical courts in Holland, and 
were under their jurisdiction. The inconveniences of 
this connection now began to be seriously felt, and 
openly discussed. The highest church court here was 
only the consistory, consequently there could be no 
ordination of ministers. All candidates were obliged to 
go to Holland to receive ordination, incurring a large 
expenditure of time and money. No case of disci- 
pline could be settled here, for the ultimate tribunals 
were on the other side of the ocean. Congregations 
were a long time without pastors. And in some cases 
the ministers who 'were sent out from Holland were 
unsuitable persons for the churches here. 



99 

The first movement was the formation of what was 
called a coetus, which was a body formed for counsel 
and fraternal conference. It was merely an advisory 
body, and had no legislative powers. They applied to 
the classis of Amsterdam to sanction their organization, 
which after a delay of nine years was done in 1747. 

It was however found that this body was powerless 
to remove the evils under which the American churches 
suffered, by reason of their dependence on the father- 
land, and in 1754 it was formally proposed that the 
coetus should be made a regular classis, with all the 
powers appropriately belonging to such a court. This 
was bitterly opposed by many of the older ministers, 
who had been ordained in Holland, and who looked 
upon the proposed separation as treason to the mother 
Church. A bitter dispute arose, and raged for fifteen 
years. The joarty which opposed the separation were 
called the Conferentie, the other the Coitus. These 
two parties carried on a controversy of the most deter- 
mined character, which disturbed the peace of neigh- 
borhoods, divided families, and rent the churches into 
factions. Houses of worship were locked up, ministers 
were assaulted in the discharge of their functions, and 
the holy sabbath was profaned by scenes of violence 
and mobs. 

Such was the sad state of things when Dr. John H. 
Livingston in 176- went to Holland to study theology, 
and be ordained to the work of the ministry. By judi- 
cious personal conference with the clergy of Holland 
he disarmed their prejudices, and gave them correct 
views of the wants of the Church in America. He then 
obtained the consent of the synod of North Holland 
that the classis of Amsterdam should have in its charge 
all the matters relating to the American churches. 
He then returned to this country, was settled in New 
York, and soon after called a convention of ministers 



100 

and elders, which met in that city in October, 1771, 
and of which he was chosen president. The conven- 
tion conducted their deliberations in a fraternal, and 
candid spirit. The resnlt was the formation of a plan 
of union, which provided : 1st. For the internal 
arrangement and government of the churches, the 
organization of superior church courts, the establish- 
ment of a professorship for the education of ministers, 
and for the foundation of schools. 2d, For the healing 
of dissensions in the various churches. 3d. For cor- 
respondence with the Church in Holland. It was pro- 
vided that the minutes of the ecclesiastical courts should 
always be sent to the classis of Amsterdam, and that 
the classis, or if need be the synod of North Holland, 
might be appealed to in cases of difficulty. 

This plan was cordially adopted, sent to the classis 
of Amsterdam, and by them approved. Their letter of 
approbation, expressed in the most cordial terms, and 
breathing an excellent spirit, was read in convention in 
October, 1772, and peace was at last restored to the 
American churches. 



NOTE G. 

Distinguished individuals who have been at different 
times connected with the congregation of the Reformed 
Protestant Dutch Church of Albany. 

Abraham Yates, Jb. 
Before the commencement of the Revolutionary war, 
Mr. Yates had obtained a distinguished and extensive 
reputation as a patriot. While sherift" of the city and 
county of Albany, he resisted the quartering of troops 
upon its citizens, and was threatend with arrest by the 
government for so doing. He was the author of a 



101 

series of letters signed Rough Hewer, which had an 
extensive circuhition, and exercised an influence second 
only to the famous articles, entitled Common Sense, in 
giving character and direction to public sentiment. He 
was chairman of the committee of public safety, during 
part of the Revolutionary war, a member of the con- 
vention which formed the first constitution of the state, 
recorder and mayor of the city of Albany, and held 
other offices of trust and distinction. 

Hon. Robert Yates. 
He was a cousin of Hon. Abraham Yates, Jr., and a 
man of note in his day. He was a delegate to the con- 
vention which formed the constitution of the United 
States. In 1777, he was appointed one of the first 
justices of the supreme court of New York, and in 
1790, became chief justice of the same. He was a man 
of great intellectual power, and largely contributed to 
the success of our struggle for national independence. 

Samuel Stringer, M. D. 

Dr. Stringer, was a man of great eminence in the 
profession of medicine, and ranked among the first 
practitioners of his day. He was also an ardent 
patriot. He was chairman of the committee of public 
safety in this city during a part of the Revolu- 
tionary war, and was also surgeon general of the 
forces under Gen. Schuyler, during that memorable 
struggle. A man of fine education, distinguished pro- 
fessional abilities, ardent zeal in behalf of the cause of 
his country, great dignity of manners, and gentleman- 
liness of deportment, he deservedly commanded high 
respect, and occupied a very prominent place in public 
estimation. He died in 1818. 



102 



Brig. Gen. Peter Gansevoort. 

Gen. Gansevoort's name is identified honorably with 
the history of his country. He was born in Albany, 
July 16th, 1749, and educated in New Jersey. In 1775, 
he was appointed by congress a major in the second 
regiment of New York, and joined the expedition under 
Gen. Montgomery. In 1776, he received a colonel's 
commission in the third regiment of the army of the 
United States. In 1777, he commanded Fort Stanwix 
during its memorable siege, and conducted its defence- 
with a vigor and success which crowned his name with 
distinguished honor, and for which he received a special 
vote of thanks from congress. In 1809, he received the 
commission of brigadier general in the army of the 
United States, in which service he continued till his 
death, which occurred 2d of July, 1812, in the 63d ^^ear 
of his age. 

He was a man of noble presence, and fearless and 
magnanimous spirit ; of undaunted courage, and inflexi- 
ble integrity. His public life was without a blot, while 
his private character was of unimpeachable morality} 
and showed distinctly the influence of Christian prin- 
ciple. 

Hon. Leonard Gansevoort. 
He was the brother of Gen. Gansevoort. Much of his 
life was spent in commercial pursuits, in which he 
always maintained a high position as an enterprising 
and honorable merchant. He was also a devoted 
patriot. He was president of the convention which 
adopted the first constitution of this state, in April, 
1777, and was the first judge of probate in the county 
of Albany, which office he held for many years. The 
later portion of his life was spent at Whitehall, his 
country seat, in the vicinity of Albany, where he ever 



103 

displayed the dignified, and generous hospitality cha- 
racteristic of those days. He was a devoted member 
of this church, and sat as a ruling elder in her councils, 
for many years. 



Hon. Simeon DeWitt. 

Mr. DeWitt was horn Dec. 25th, 1756, in Ulster 
county. He was educated at Queens (now Rutgers) 
college, where he took high rank as a scholar, and at 
his graduation received the double honor of the salu- 
tatory, and valedictory orations. At the time of the 
incursion of Burgoyne he joined the army, and was 
present at the battle in which that distinguished general 
was defeated, and witnessed his surrender. In 1778, 
he was appointed assistant geographer (or as it would 
now be called, topographical engineer), to the army, 
and in 1780, on the death of the chief geographer, Col. 
Robert Erskine, he succeeded to that honorable and 
important post. He was attached to the main army 
from 1780 to the close of the war, was present at the 
siege of Yorktown, and witnessed the surrender of 
Cornwallis. In 1784, he was appointed surveyor 
general of the state of New York, and held this commis- 
sion more than fifty years. In 1796, Gen. Washington, 
with whom l>[r. DeWitt was on terms of cordial intimacy, 
without his knowledge or solicitation, nominated him to 
the senate, as surveyor general of the United States, 
which was cordially ratified by that body. This flatter- 
ing appointment Mr. DeWitt did not feel at liberty to 
accept. In 1798, he w^as elected a regent; in 1817, vice 
chancellor ; and in 1829, chancellor of the University 
of New York. He was a member of various literary 
and scientific associations, and frequently made valuable 
contributions with his pen to the progress of scientific 
inquiry. He was distinguished for his habits of close 



104 

study, and persevering investigation. He was a true 
philosopher with all the treasures, but without any pride 
of learning. His ofticial life was useful to his country, 
and honorable to himself. And in the social relations 
of life he was warm in his affections, and firm and true 
in his friendships. 

Mr. DeWitt was a sincere and exemplary Christian. 
For more than twenty years, he was a ruling elder in 
the Protestant Keformed Dutch Church in this city. 
At the division of the Church, in 1815, he became 
connected with the Second Dutch Church, where his 
children still remain, and where his memory is yet 
precious, as the memory of the just. He died on the 
3d of December, 1834, within a few days of accomplish- 
ing his 79th year. 

Hon. John Lansing, Jr. 
Mr. Lansing was one of the most prominent jurists 
of his day. After practicing law with signal ability 
and success for a number of years, he was appointed 
in 1790 a judge of the supreme court of this state, of 
which in 1798, he was made chief justice. In 1801, he 
was made chancellor, which high office he filled with 
distinguished ability. He was mayor of the city of 
Albany from 1786 to 1790. In all his public offices he 
united with great professional talent, an irreproachable 
moral character, and commanded the respect and confi- 
dence of his fellow citizens. 

Hon. Abraham Van Vechten. 

Few names are held in such respectful remembrance 
by the citizens of Albany as the name of Mr, Yan 
Vechten. He was born at Catskill, December 5th, 
1752, and educated at the Kingston Academy. His pro- 
gress in learning was so remarkable that he Avas able 



105 

at the early age of fourteen, to commence, the study of 
law with chancellor Lansing of this city, and was 
actually licensed both as attorney and counselor, be- 
fore he was twenty-one years of age. He commenced 
practice in this city in 1793, He was soon after elected 
to the senate of the state, and for nearly thirty years, 
held a seat in one of the two branches of the legislature. 
For eleven years he was recorder of the city of Albany; 
was appointed attorney general of the state in ISll^ 
and was more than once invited to a seat on the bench 
of the supreme court, which honor he declined. 

He made a profession of religion about the time he 
commenced professional life, and was for more than half a 
century, an active, consistent, and useful member of the 
Church. He was often an elder and a member of our 
ecclesiastical courts, in which he always exerted great 
influence. 

Mr. Van Yechten was a man of vigorous intellect, 
sound judgment, and remarkable discrimination. His 
learning, particularly in jurisprudence, was various, 
thorough and extensive. In his disposition he was 
generous and benevolent, simple in his habits, warm in 
his affections, frank and easy in his manners. He was 
a sincere and exemplary Christian. He loved the 
Bible, and prayer, and the ordinances of the house of 
God. He was devotedly attached to the Dutch Church, 
and no man in the long list of her members deserves to 
be more gratefully remembered by that Church. 

Hon. Harmanus Bleecker. 
Mr. Bleecker was the fifth in descent from Jan Jansen 
Bleecker, who was one of the early settlers in Albany, 
and who married, in 1667, Margaret, daughter of Rutger 
Jacobsen. He was born October 9th, 1779 ; was admitted 
to the bar in 1801; and in 1810 was elected to congress 
14 



106 

where he served during the troublous times of the last 
war with England. He was one of the regents of the 
university, and a commissioner on the p;irt of the state, 
for settling the boundary between New York and New 
Jersey. Under the administration of president Van 
Buren, he was sent as American minister to the Hague. 
Very few of our foreign ministers have made such a 
favorable impression abroad. During his residence in 
Holland he married Miss Sebastiana Cornelia Mentz, an 
accomplished lady, who still survives him in her native 
land. 

Mr. Bleecker was a man of uncommon literary attain- 
ments and high cultivation. He was dignified in his 
manners, and affable and courteous in his deportment. 
He spoke and wrote in the Dutch language with great 
purity and elegance, and was on this account very 
popular during his residence abroad. He was a man of 
irreproachable charactei", a consistent supporter of the 
institutions of religion, and more than usually versed in 
the science of theology. He died at his residence in 
Albany, July 19th, 1849, at the age of seventy years. 

Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer. 
This is one of the most precious names connected 
with the Church of Albany. Mr. Van Rensselaer was 
born in the city of New York, November 1st, 1764, and 
graduated at Harvard University in 1782. In 1789, he 
was chosen to the legislature of this state, and in 1795, 
when only thirty-one years of age, was called to 
preside over the senate as lieutenant governor. He 
held this position six years. From 1800 to 1820, he 
was frequently a member of assembly, sat in two 
conventions called to revise the constitution, and in 
1822 was elected to the congress of the United States. 
For the last fourteen years of his life he was president 



107 

of the canal board, and at the time of his death, was 
chancellor of the University of New York. 

He began his military career in 1787, and during the 
last war with Great Britain he held the commission of 
major general, commanded on the Niagara frontier, and 
was engaged with honor in the battle of Queenstown. 

In 1825, he received from Yale College the honorary 
degree of doctor of laws. He died suddenly at the 
Manor House, January 26th, 1839. 

The following extract from a discourse delivered in 
his memory by his eloquent and intimate friend, Rev. 
George W. Bethune, D. D., at Philadelphia, February 
3d, 1839, contains a just analysis of his character, and 
tribute to his worth. 

"Born to a large patrimony, the increasing prosperity 
of the country poured wealth upon him, until he be- 
came, with the exception, perhaps, of one other, the 
richest man of the land ; and wearing, by the common 
consent of all around him, the only hereditary title 
known among us, he swayed an influence wider than 
any other private citizen possessed. Cautious, but not 
cold ; frank, but never rash ; without the qualities of fer- 
vid genius, or depth of learning, he had a judgment sin- 
gularly clear and correct, a pure common sense, which 
rarely failed to guide him in duties which his conscience 
loved. Surrounded by grateful dependents and affec- 
tionate friends, though there could not be wanting those 
who would have prej-ed upon his abounding fortunes, 
he has gone to his grave without an enemy. 

" The beauty of his wisdom was his guilelessness, the 
strength of his power was his goodness, and the abun- 
dance of his wealth his vast' benevolence. 

" His greatness was like that of a noble tree, planted 
by the river of the water of life, spreading wide its 
sheltering arms to overshadow all who needed refuge, 
which yielded perennial fruits, and " whose leaf never 



108 

faded." His bounty was not the occasional and noisy 
gushes of ostentatious pride, but silent, secret, and 
gentle as the dew, refreshing far and near, yet with a 
kindly care for the lowliest herb of the field, healing 
but never wounding the heart it blessed; while every 
drop glistened in the light of the Sun of Righteousness, 
and was- exhaled to heaven. # * * * 

"An elder in the church of his fathers, he seemed 
to count it his best honor to serve the followers of Jesus; 
and when a member of ecclesiastical courts, as he fre- 
quently was, he never shrank from any labor, nor became 
"weary in well doing." It may be safely said, that the 
church he so much loved, approaching as it does, more 
nearly than any other, the order of the apostolic age, 
became dearer, and yet dearer to his heart as he drew 
near his end. 

" Yet sect could not confine the charity of his spirit. 
We dare not claim him as wholly our own. He belong- 
ed to Christianity, to the world, because he belonged to 
God and Christ ; and never was his aid sought in any 
cause of benevolence, morals or piety (and the applica- 
tions were as constant as the day, and numerous as its 
hours,) that his answer was not that of " the cheerful 
giver" whom " the Lord loves." 

"But it was in his home that the Christian shone most 
radiantly and sweetly, where his gentle spirit found de- 
lightful fellowship with the innocence of children, and 
the quiet loveliness of kindred affection. The guest, 
who crossed that threshold, forgot he was a stranger, and 
though poor, amidst all the appliances of uncounted 
wealth, felt only that he was at home. Alas ! for the 
bereaved hearts within that dwelling which knows him 
now no more ! God comfort them ! 

" Long suffering had chastened his spirit to an almost 
heavenly purity, and they, who "marked the perfect, 
and beheld the upright," saw, that "the end of that 



109 

man was peace." In the midst of his aiFectionate child- 
ren and near his devoted wife, within the hall where 
the servant of God, and the friend of man, ever found 
an unfeigned welcome, his venerable head fell gently 
upon his bosom. He was asleep in Jesus. His flesh 
shall rest in hope, but his spirit is now singing the song 
in heaven he loved to sing on earth. He " rests from 
his labors, and his works have followed him." 

Hon. Kilian K. Yan Rensselaer. 

Mr. Van Rensselaer was the son of Kilian Van Rens- 
selaer, Esq., of Greenbush. His father was at one time 
chairman of the general committee of safety for the 
northern department of New York, in the Revolutionary 
war. Three of the sons served as commissioned officers 
in that war, and two of them were severely wounded in 
different engagements. 

He was educated for the legal profession, in which he 
for many years held a high rank in this city. He served 
for several years in the city councils, and about 1800, 
was elected to congress. He retained his seat for five 
successive terms and was always distinguished for his 
intelligence, his decision of character, his integrity, and 
the urbanity of his manners. 

He was for many years a member of this Church, and 
was often elected to a seat in consistory. 

He died June l8th, 1845, at the age of 82, having 
always enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellow 
citizens, and leaving behind him a spotless memory^ 
Three of his sons still survive him, and are among the 
most respectable citizens of Albany; one of them, Gen. 
John S. Yan Rensselaei*, being the father of the gallant 
and lamented Charles M. Yan Rensselaer, first ofiicer of 
the ill-fated steamer Central America. 



110 



Maj. Gen. Solomon Van Rensselaer. 
Gen. Van Rensselaer, was the sou of Gen. Henry R. 
Van Rensselaer of Revolutionary memory, and was 
born August 6th, 1774. He joined the army before he 
was eighteen years of age, under Gen. Anthony Wayne. 
His gallantry at that early age was conspicuous, and his 
promotion was rapid, so that he commanded a troop 
before he had reached the age of twenty. In the battle 
of the Miami, in 1794, he was shot through the lungs, 
and almost by miracle survived the wound. After the 
disbanding of the army he was appointed adjutant gene- 
ral of this state under Gov. Jay, which post he held for 
a number of years. During the last war he was aid to 
Maj. Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer on the Niagara 
frontier, and rendered brilliant and effective service 
throughout the campaign. At the battle of Queenstown 
he received six balls in different parts of his body, one 
of which he carried to the day of his death. 

In IS IS he was elected to congress, and at the expiration 
of his term of office was re-elected. Under President 
Monroe he was appointed postmaster of Albany, and 
held this office under Adams and Jackson. In 1839, he 
was a delegate to the national convention at Harrisburgh, 
which nominated Gen. Harrison for the presidency. 
From President Harrison he received again the appoint- 
ment of postmaster at Albany. The last years of his life 
were spent in the bosom of his affectionate famil}' at 
Cherry Hill, where he died April 23d, 1852, in the 78th 
year of his age, leaving behind him the memory of a 
gallant soldier, a true patriot, and a faithful servant of 
his country. 



Ill 



Abraham G. Lansing, Esq. 
The estimation in which Mr. Lansing was held by 
the public may be well inferred from the following 
obituary notice from the pen of his distinguished friend, 
Abraham Van Vechten, Esq., which appeared in the 
Albany Argus, September, 1834. 

" It is due to the memory of those who have well 
performed their part on the stage of life, that their 
example should be held forth for imitation after their 
departure hence ; for in this way it furnishes a useful 
lesson to their survivors. The recent death of Abraham 
G. Lansing, Esq., at the advanced age of 77 years, 
afibrds such a lesson. 

" Mr. Lansing was a native of this city, and a zealous 
and active supporter of the liberties of our country 
during the American Eevolution. His merit and patri- 
otism at an early period attracted the attention and 
engaged the confidence of our distinguished leaders in 
that arduous contest, who confided to him several im- 
portant offices, the duties of which he discharged with 
faithfulness and ability. After the war of our independ- 
ence was ended, Mr. Lansing received appointments to 
various responsible public offices, from the United States, 
as well as from this state, in all of which he merited 
and preserved the undiminished confidence and esteem 
of his fellow citizens. Happy in his domestic relations, 
with an amiable and interesting family, who delighted 
to minister to his comfort and happiness, he led a life 
of benevolence and usefulness, and died in the faith and 
hope of a humble Christian, and is buried in the affec- 
tions of his bereaved wife, children, and friends." 



112 



Hon. Charles E. Dudley. 

The name of Mr. Dudley, already distinguished by 
his own character and public services, has been ren- 
dered still more extensively so, by the noble monument, 
which the aftection and munificence of his widow has 
reared to his memory, and on which she has inscribed 
his name in letters as bright as the stars to which it 
points. 

Descended from one of the most ancient of the noble 
families of England, Mr. Dudley "was thoroughly and 
deeply attached to this country, the land of his adop- 
tion, and of his life and labors. After engaging for 
years in the honorable and useful pursuits of commer- 
cial life, in which he was very successful, he retired to 
Albany, and became happily connected in marriage 
with one of its most ancient and respectable families. 
He was soon called to preside over the municipal 
government of the city ; thence he was transferred to 
the senate of the state, where " he identified his name 
with beneficent measuresjwhich have contributed largely 
to the intellectual progress and material prosperity of 
the state." He was afterward elected to the senate of 
the United States, and in that body, which was then 
illuminated by those brilliant stars, Clay, Webster, and 
Calhoun, and Silas Wright, his distinguished colleague, 
he shone with no ordinary lustre. Intelligence, candor, 
patriotism, and independence, characterized his course 
as a statesman, no less than his character as a man. 

" It was his fortune," says Gov. Hunt, in his address 
at the inauguration of the Dudley Observatory, " to 
act a prominent part on the stage of public events in 
times of intense political excitement. Though decided 
in his opinions, adhering always to his avowed princi- 
ples with unyielding firmness, party spirit never ven- 
tured to assail the integrity of his conduct, or to ques- 



113 

tion the purity of his intentions. He cherished warm 
political attachments, yet he was no partisan, in the 
ordinary sense. If he loved Ca)sar much, he loved 
Rome more, and regarded the welfare of his country 
as paramount to the interests of any party." His long 
acquaintance with commerce, and knowledge of the 
laws of trade, gave him peculiar advantages on ques- 
tions which related to the commercial interests of the 
country ; and his views on these subjects always com- 
manded a larger measure of consideration. 

From the period of his marriage, Mr. Dudley was a 
regular worshiper in the Dutch Church, in connection 
with which he remained during the remainder of his 
life. He was a man who had a sincere reverence for 
the institutions of religion, and his moral character 
was above reproach. He professed his faith in Christ in 
his last illness, and the hopes of the gospel cheered him 
in his dying hours. He was dignified and courteous in 
his manners, and commanded the respect of the public 
as truly as he won the affection of his friends. 

He died in Albany in 1841. His affectionate widow 
still survives him, herself the descendant of one of the 
first magistrates of the city, and one of the oldest mem- 
bers of the Dutch Church of Allmny. Through her 
lamented husband and herself, the name of Dudley will 
be rendered memorable, when centuries hence, the as- 
tronomer shall watch the stars which look down upon 
their graves in silent and solemn beauty. 



15 



114 



Rev. William J. Pohlman. 

Mr. Pohlman was born in Albany February 17th, 
1812. He was trained np by pious j)arents in the 
nurture, and admonition of the Lord, and was the sub- 
ject of deep religious impressions from his earliest 
years. When he was about 16 years of age he became 
a decided Christian, and eighteen months after, he con- 
nected himself with this Church. Feeling then an 
ardent desire to devote himself to the Gospel ministry, 
he commenced a course of preparatory study, passed 
through Eutgers College and the theological seminary, 
and was duly licensed to preach by the Rev. Classis of 
Albany, July 27th, 1837. He now determined to devote 
himself to the foreign missionary work, and applied to 
the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign 
Missions to be employed by them on heathen ground. 
His application was cordially granted, and in April, 
1838, he was ordained in this Church to the work of the 
ministry. On the 20th of May, 1S38, he was solemnly 
set apart to the work of foreign missions, and immedi- 
ately left for the island of Borneo, which was designated 
as the field of his labors. In 1844, he was transferred 
to the mission at Amoy, in China, where he labored 
with zeal and fidelity for about five years. In January 
1849, while passing from Hong Kong to Amoy, the 
vessel in which he sailed encountered a severe storm, 
in which she foundered, and Mr. Pohlman was among 
the lost. 

The Rev. Dr. Kennedy, who was at that time pastor 
of this Church, and who knew Mr. Pohlman well, in a 
discourse delivered in his memory in ]May, 1849, says 
of him, that he " possessed elements of character, that 
fitted him for extended usefulness among the heathen. 
His piety took the form of a deep controlling principle. 
It governed him in every thing he did. Were I to 



115 

select wliat seems to me to have Leen the prominent 
feature of his mental constitution, I would say it was 
jierseverance. And the union of these two elements, deep 
■piety, and unwearying perseverance, gave a cast to the 
entire character, and fitted him in an eminent degree 
for the toils and trials of the missionary life. Diflticul- 
ties never discouraged him. Obstacles only nerved him 
to greater exertions. He was cheerful in duty, prudent 
in counsel, amiable in disposition, and cordial and firm 
in his friendships." 



• LIST OF THE PASTORS 

OP 

THE CHURCH AT ALBANY, 



Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, 1642 to 1649, 

Gideon Schaats, 1652 to 1683, 

Niewenhiiysen, 1675 to , 

Godfreidus Dellius, 1683 to 1699, 

Johannes Petrus Nucella, 1699 to 1702, 

Johannes Lydius, 1703 to 1709, 

Petrus Van Dnessen, 1712 to 1739, 

Cornelius Van Schie, 1733 to 1744, 

Theodorus Frelinghuysen, 1746 to 1760, 

Eihirdus Westerlo, 1760 to 1790, 

John Bassett, 1787 to 1805, 

John B. Johnson, 1796 to 1802, 

John M. Bradford, 1805 to 1820, 

John DeWitt, 1813 to 1815^ 

John Ludlow, 1823 to 1833', 

Thomas E. Verrailye, 1835 to 1839, 

Duncan Kennedy, 1841 to 1855, 

Ebenezer P. Rogers, 1856, 



OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH, 

FOR 1858. 



Pastor, 
Rev. Ebenezer P. Rogers, D. D. 

Elders, 
John Q. Wilson, Stephen Van Rensselaer,* 

Philip Ford, Edmund S. Herrick.f 

Deacons, 
David Newland, Maurice E. Viele,f 

Edward Dunscomb, William Seymour.§ 

Trv^tees, 

Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Alfred Van Santvoord, 

Peter Gansevoort, John H, Reynolds, 

Lansing Pruyn, Henry Lansing, 

Robert H. Pruyn, S. Oakley Vanderpoel, 

Henry T. Buell. 

Treasurer, 
Richard Van Rensselaer. 

* In place of Wm. McElroy, Elder, 1856-7. 
t do Timothy Seymour, do. 
t do Jacob J. DeForest, Deacon, 1856-7. 
^ do David McMicken, do. 



U8 



AN ACT 

IN RELATION TO TlIE MINISTER, ELDERS AND DEACONS OP 
THE REFORMED PROTESTANT DUTCH CHURCH IN THE 
CITY OF ALBANY. 

Passed February 4th, 1857. 

The People of the State of New York, represented in 
Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows : 

Section 1. The corporation known as the minister, 
elders and deacons of the Reformed Protestant Dutch 
Church in the City of Albany, shall hereafter be known 
and styled as the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church 
of the City of Alban}^ 

§ 2. The proceedings of said Church, pursuant to the 
provisions of chapter ninety, of the laws of eighteen 
hundred and thirty-five, entitled "An act to amend the 
charter of the minister, elders and deacons of the 
Second Protestant Reformed Dutch Church in the City 
of Albany," to vest the property of said corporation in 
a board of trustees, are hereby confirmed. 

§ 3. Jacob H. Ten Eyck, Peter Gansevoort, Robert 
H. Pruyn, John H. Reynolds, Lansing Pruyn, Alfred 
Van Sanford, S. Oakley Vanderpoel, S. Yisscher Talcott, 
Henry S. Lansing, the trustees of said Church, elected 
in the month of January, one thousand eight hundred 
and fifty-six, are hereby declared to be the first trustees 
of said corporation, to hold their offices for the term of 
one, two and three years, from the first Monday of 
March, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-six, agree- 
ably to the classification into three classes made imme- 
diately after their said election, in pursuance of law. 



119 

And oil the first Monday of March, in each and every 
year, an election shall be held for three trustees of said 
corporation, in place of those whose term shall then 
expire, and at the same time to fill any vacancies which 
may not have been filled by said trustees, and also elect 
three inspectors of election. At least one week's notice 
of the time and place of holding said election shall be 
given by notice from the pulpit of said Church, or by 
afiixing a written notice on the outer door thereof 
Said trustees shall appoint three persons to hold said 
election on the first Monday of March next, and shall 
have power to fill any vacancies which may exist there- 
after, for any reason whatever. And in the event of 
such election not being held in any year, the trustees 
whose term shall expire in that year, shall hold office 
until their successors shall be elected, and it shall be 
the duty of the trustees, within three months thereafter, 
to fix the time and place of holding said election, and 
to give notice thereof as aforesaid. 

§ 4. The Eeformed Protestant Dutch Church of the 
City of Albany shall be entitled to receive and collect 
all rents reserved in and by any and all leases of pews 
in the Church, belonging to said corporation, heretofore 
made b}' the minister, elders and deacons of the Re- 
formed Protestant Dutch Church in the City of Albany, 
as fully as if their corporate name had not been changed 
as hereinbefore provided. 

§ 5. But nothing herein shall be construed to affect 
any action now pending in favor of or against the said 
corporation ; and in case any suit shall be hereafter 
commenced against the said corporation in this state, or 
elsewhere, by any person or party not knowing the 
change of the corporate name of said corporation, it 
shall not be authorized to plead a misnomer, but shall 
answer or plead to the merits of the action, stating in 
such answer the true name of said corporation ; and 



120 

sucli action shall proceed against it, in either name, 
according to the practice of the court in which such 
action shall be pending ; and any judgment recovered 
therein shall be as valid as if the action had been com- 
menced and conducted against the said corporation by 
its true name. 

§ 6. This act shall take effect immediately. 




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LB D 78 



